Steinbeck, John: Tortilla Flat

sehr gutes Buch zum erlernen der Englischen Sprache

The un-American activities and ambitions of Danny and his friends have delighted readers for generations. This slim classic immediately creates a unique, opportunistic universe, ethos and worldview. It is situated in the fishing and canning town of Monterey CA just after WW I among its ‘paisanos’, proud men (and women) of mixed ‘Spanish’ origin. They are not very many and not productive either. Some here are living with Danny in his small house in the hills overlooking Monterey’s bay and harbour. They are keen observers and philosophers of the life surging and bristling around them and below. Their key concern is wine, bought or bartered per gallon and how to acquire more without pure physical effort. Read the 17 episodes about Danny and his friends with a smile and often laughed out loud because of their antics, conversations and Steinbeck’s own story-telling prowess, which is world class and unforgettable. This edition also contains a very useful introduction full of information about the book’s characters, appreciation by critics and readers, and later, dumb controversies, such as preaching communism or stereotyping Latinos. Exceptional book with countless open and covert references to chivalry, humanitarianism and logic through allusions to e.g. St. Francis and Catholicism, the Knights of the Round Table and Robin Hood. Have economists ever theorised or modelled absence of accumulation and investment vs. full consumption? Anthropologists did and call them hunters and gatherers. Great observers and planners, too. Sincere advice to readers: to lengthen your bliss to 10 whole days, please imbibe just two episodes per day. Otherwise, a wonderful piece of magic to brighten the dark days before Christmas as an annual ritual. Finally, “Cannery Road” is about Monterey’s beachside eccentrics. Another marvel to enjoy and cherish forever.