Long Valley, The

Of Steinbeck's short stories, I wonder if "The Red Pony" is perhaps the best known, or at least the most widely read in high school or college literature survey courses? Or perhaps that distinction belongs to "The Chrysanthemums." In any event, those are the only two stories from this collection that I can recall having read elsewhere, leaving the other eleven to delight me with their novelty. The "delight," however, is that which comes with the discovery of intensely thought-provoking stories, not, with one exception, the delight that comes from encountering light-hearted, uplifting tales of an optimistic bent, for that is far from Steinbeck's style. For the most part, the short stories reveal the same dark universe in which unenlightened and certainly unsaved men struggle to survive, a struggle that they occasionally lose, spiritually if not physically. A certain hunger, an unfulfilled need, and a pre-ordained suffering doom most of Steinbeck's characters. Existence is filled with cruel ironies that dash hope upon the vicious and inescapable rocks of reality. We see happiness in a vicarious dream of escaping the entrapment of an unchanging existence dashed by a pile of flowers unceremoniously dumped in the road. A youth's attainment of manhood is marked not by joy but by the guilt of a murder, ruthless pursuit, and a hard rifle bullet. We see the cultural anchor of a town destroyed by an unimaginable sin. And so the stories go. Apropos of Steinbeck's view of the human condition is the title of the collection. While "the long valley" certainly describes California's Salinas River valley, the general setting for many of Steinbeck's stories, it also suggests the spiritual valley in which his characters typically dwell. One may argue that the people in Steinbeck's stories bring suffering upon themselves through their own ignorance and unthinking acts. Yet, if we look closely at their intents and motivations, we often see situations unfold that seem to force the characters into the acts that in turn become their undoing. It is as if the Fates play with men and rejoice in their destruction. Earlier, though, I mentioned an exception to this dark, brooding atmosphere and theme. The exceptional story is "Saint Katy the Virgin." This story is not what one expects to find in Steinbeck. It is a wonderful bit of humorous satire, lightheartedly poking a little fun at some of the tenets of Catholicism. Had Steinbeck written his major novels in this vein, his reputation would have been that of a sublime humorist. I recommend this collection of short stories to two very different groups of readers, those who have never read Steinbeck before and wish to sample several brief selections before investing their interest in a major novel, and those who have enjoyed Steinbeck's other works already and should not neglect his short stories. All will discover that these stories are fast paced, interest holding, and thought provoking. I believe I shall

All of the short stories are unforgettable. My favorite is Johnny Bear, which is almost Hitchcock in its eerieness and structure. Get this in hardback. Definitely a keeper for one's library.

I was blown away by the power of these stories, amazed at the Steinbeck's craft and attention to detail. This book would go with me to that proverbial desert island if my choice was limited to one text alone. Truly timeless. I also saw that C-SPAN program on Steinbeck, and was pleased to learn that his reputation is growing again to the stature he deserves.

I particularly liked the details. Steinbeck just so well paints his stories- you can see what's happening, even though I have never seen the details myself in real life. I wish I had! I wish I could see life as clearly as he does. I find myself realizing for the first time the difference in a woman's chin from that of a man, though subconsciously from a distance you can tell the gender without knowing why. How a man looks old only because of the way his heel touches the ground. I fully understand the uncomfortability of someone with coal black eyes, though I don't remember ever seeing such a person. I see how a peddler can get a buyer by becoming a buyer himself. Or what it is like to be in a mind of a self-justified racist lyncher. Sometimes Steinbeck gets so into the minds of others I am uncomfortably unsure of where he stands- it is as with a consummate actor, who becomes his character. But of course my favorite story of all is Saint Katy the Virgin, of a demonic pig become Christian and saint, "stretched prostrate on the ground, making the sign of the cross with her right hoof and mooing softly in anguish at the realization of her crimes." I've always known that pigs were worthy of salvation...

Recently, I have been on a John Steinbeck binge. I am not a lover of short stories, I find them too brief, like a wonderful treat taken away too soon. However, the skill in which Mr. Steinbeck writes each short story represents a condensed novel. They are truly capable of fulfilling the promises of longer novels. Flushed and sifted, he carefully extracts his words into a version just as promising and thought provoking as a longer story. One need not feel unsatisfied, these stories are utterly amazing, absolutely incredible and without doubt some of the best literary work I have ever read.These are beautiful stories, all taking place around Steinbeck's favorite place on earth, Monterey and Salinas Valley in California. The stories are diverse, rich, stunning and original. Please allow yourself the opportunity to read these stories. You will not be disappointed, and the beauty is to feel the heart and soul of the author, John Steinbeck.