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The Winter of Our Discontent
The Winter of Our Discontent | John Steinbeck
The final novel of one of Americas most beloved writersa tale of degeneration, corruption, and spiritual crisis In awarding John Steinbeck the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Nobel committee stated that with The Winter of Our Discontent, he had resumed his position as an independent expounder of the truth, with an unbiased instinct for what is genuinely American. Ethan Allen Hawley, the protagonist of Steinbecks last novel, works as a clerk in a grocery store that his family once owned. With Ethan no longer a member of Long Islands aristocratic class, his wife is restless, and his teenage children are hungry for the tantalizing material comforts he cannot provide. Then one day, in a moment of moral crisis, Ethan decides to take a holiday from his own scrupulous standards. Set in Steinbecks contemporary 1960 America, the novel explores the tenuous line between private and public honesty, and today ranks alongside his most acclaimed works of penetrating insight into the American condition. This Penguin Classics edition features an introduction and notes by leading Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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CoffeeNBooks
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OriginalCyn620 🖤🖤🖤 4w
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ARTDJG
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Pickpick

?? My favorite novel.

"We can shoot rockets into space but we can't cure anger or discontent."

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Bookzombie
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Pickpick

Read in January.

It‘s no surprise that this Steinbeck was a pick as I have enjoyed almost all I have read so far.* Ethan Allen Hawley comes from a wealthy old New England family, but there is no longer wealth, just a name and the home he shares with his wife and 2 children. Ethan is a grocery store clerk and is scrupulously honest. Until one spring/summer, when he sets in to motion a plan to restore a little of that wealth. #MyPartnerPickedIt

Bookzombie *I didn‘t care for The Red Pony. 9mo
Reggie I‘ve never read Steinbeck. I should change that. 9mo
Bookzombie @Reggie I think you would really like East of Eden. David reminded me that you do have to allow him time to set up the story. 🙂 9mo
Centique @Bookzombie @Reggie i loved East of Eden too! Its been many years though 😍 It was long but really got deep into those family relationships and psychology and it made me (at about 20yo or so) think more about life and purpose than any book id ever read. 9mo
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Booksbymybed
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Pickpick

“The Winter of Our Discontent”, technically it‘s a reread but because it‘s been more than 20 years it read almost like a new story. A story of a man lost between a glorious past of his ancestors and brutal present of not only his diminished status, but also a struggle to gain his place in the world. He finds out he can take certain steps to make gain but nothing comes without price. I loved this book before and I loved it now.

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Jas16
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Pickpick

Steinbeck‘s last novel had been sitting unread on my shelves for years until #authoramonth gave me the incentive to finally pick it up. While it did not unseat my favorites of his, it did remind my why I have listed as one of my favorite authors for decades. #booked2023 #inmemoriam

Suet624 Congrats on finally getting to it! 2y
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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
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It‘s Steinbeck‘s birthday today! He is one of my favorite authors and I‘m really excited to read the tagged book for March‘s #authoramonth! Happy reading, everyone!

Pikathulhu I adore John Steinbeck's writing. Thank you for ensuring I'll celebrate this special day! 2y
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Laking86
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Pickpick

The first Steinbeck novel I‘ve read for some time and a reminder of why he made such an impact on me as a young reader. His final novel is a tale of morality and what a man is prepared to sacrifice in order to enjoy money and success. There‘s a clear moral message that in a lesser writer‘s hands could feel forced. With Steinbeck it builds in a taut, tense developing story around characters who feel painfully real.

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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

Another excellent book by Steinbeck. This one is a bit slower, but the way he writes about relationships and human nature is so accurate still today. Greed, dishonesty, love, and friendship are all explored as this slightly dark novel unfolds revealing the ugliness of the human condition.

I have to say, he's definitely one of my favorite authors.

vivastory What is your favorite Steinbeck? I've been meaning to read him again. It's been years. 2y
Megabooks I need to read more Steinbeck. What Scott asked ⬆️ please 2y
BarbaraBB @vivastory @Megabooks ‼️ Please read (edited) 2y
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PaperbackPirate I haven‘t read this one yet. Thank you for the push! 2y
PaperbackPirate @vivastory @Megabooks Make sure you‘re in a good headspace first. 🙌 2y
Addison_Reads @vivastory @Megabooks I agree with @BarbaraBB , East of Eden is my favorite by far. 2y
Addison_Reads @PaperbackPirate I read Grapes of Wrath for the first time this year. Another great Steinbeck, but I agree, you need to be In a good mindset for it because it is depressing. I hope you enjoy this one. 2y
vivastory @Addison_Reads @barbarabb @megabooks @paperbackpirate I read Of Mice & Men in HS & it was a favorite at the time. I have considered revisiting. I've had my eye on East of Eden, but will need to be in the mood for a longer book. I think I'll give Grapes of Wrath a shot. Thanks! 2y
Addison_Reads @vivastory The Pearl is also a great novella if you want something shorter to start with. I'm hoping to read The Red Pony and Tortilla Flat soon. I just love the way Steinbeck writes. 2y
vivastory I have heard good things about The Pearl. I will definitely keep that one in mind. I think Cannery Row is fairly short too. 2y
vivastory I recently noticed that he also wrote a modern retelling of King Arthur & Knights of the Round Table. I think it's unfinished, but I thought that was interesting 2y
Addison_Reads @vivastory An Arthurian tale by Steinbeck? Wow, that's gotta be great. 2y
BarbaraBB @vivastory Cannery Row is very good too. And short indeed. 2y
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Lcsmcat
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GatheringBooks
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TK-421 I love this 💙 4y
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BestDogDad
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Late in posting the October wrap-up! Slower month as I also started War and Peace early on. All really good reads this month, topped off be Steinbeck who never disappoints me. #octoberwrapup

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BestDogDad
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Pickpick

Steinbeck has never disappointed me. The Winter of our Discontent is much shorter than, slower to develop than, and not as complex as East of Eden nor are the secondary characters fleshed out as thoroughly, but the story is gripping and the moral degeneration of the main character, Ethan Allen Hawley was something to experience.

The novel gets progressively darker as it goes on and I thought the ending was perfect. A great work.

Suet624 I haven‘t read Steinbeck in a while. You‘re gently pushing me to do so. 4y
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BestDogDad
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Steinbeck‘s last novel. Good stuff per usual.

wildwoodreads I read this at 15 and it really messed with my head then lol. I really loved it though lol. 4y
SmellyTurd I read it more recently And I loved it. A powerful book. 4y
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BestDogDad
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For me: ☕️ < 🍵 < 🥃. I‘ve only had one cup of coffee in my life, I‘m certainly a caffeine anomaly. Love my tea and whiskey, though,

Texreader 🤣🤣🤣 4y
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Bigcountry15
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Pickpick

I thought this one started out slow, for a Steinbeck book, but I really enjoyed how it all gathered speed and came together at the end. I think this is best described as a book of ironies. Ethan Allen Hawley is a conflicted man, wanting to break free from humble life, sometimes with questionable motives and methods.

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Bigcountry15
Winter of Our Discontent | John Steinbeck
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"When the fair gold morning of April stirred Mary Hawley awake, she turned over to her husband and saw him, little fingers pulling a frog mouth at her."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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SmellyTurd
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Pickpick

This is the first Steinbeck novel I read and I became a fan immediately. The Winter of Our Discontent has some of the best character development I've seen in a story, and Steinbeck creates tension and release beautifully. This book displays the talent that has made Steinbeck one of the greats.

#Steinbeck #classics #thewinterofourdiscontent

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suvata
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Pickpick

This is one of the few Steinbeck books that I never read. But, living through this 2020 pandemic made me think of the title of this book. I know they have nothing to do with each other but I just kept thinking “the winter of our discontent“ over and over. So I guess the universe was nudging me to read this book next. Plus, you can‘t go wrong with Steinbeck.

1960 was Ethan Allen Hawley‘s winter of discontent. 2020 is/was mine.

MemoirsForMe I noticed we both have the same Litsyversary. Happy 4 Years of Great Reads! 🎉Thanks for inspiring me to read more Steinbeck. 🤗📚 5y
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Lexeegee
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Lexeegee
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JoScho
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Coleen_Nieto Love this book! 5y
MissAimz_55 Love this! 5y
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toofondofbooks
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Henrik_Madsen
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My local library has a display pushing Steinbeck books to its visitors. When I was in my late teens Steinbeck was one of my favorite authors - maybe it‘s time to revisit some of his novels? 📕📗📘😊😊

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HotCocoaReads
Winter of Our Discontent | John Steinbeck
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Pickpick

This was nothing like any of the other Steinbeck novels I‘ve read, except that the characterization was really well done. I felt the foreboding throughout the entire book and I was hoping so much that things would work out for Ethan because I loved him. So much! He had such a good heart and wanted to make something of his life, but he went about it all wrong. I need to talk about the ending to someone!!!

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JLaurenceCohen

I love how all of Steinbeck's books have such different voices. The Winter of our Discontent is a story of a man's ethical quandary and its effect on his family.

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Felso
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Books make the best gifts! 📚📚📚

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Kristelh
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#riotgrams, #day3, #favoritetitle, Late at getting this posted, but always loved this title. Like the story too.

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wanderlustforwords
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Steinbeck is one of my top three favorite authors! I have a favorite book, I always thought people were insane when they‘d ask if I did until I read East of Eden. I‘ve so many more of his novels to read including TWOOD. Are you a Steinbeck fan? Do you have a favorite? #repost #litsy #steinbeck

arubabookwoman I love most of Steinbeck‘s novels. However, I just read his travelogue #TravelsWithCharlie, and did not like it at all. 7y
Tamra The Pearl was my gateway to adult lit fiction in the 6th grade, it was a revelation. 💜 But I love Steinbeck in general. 7y
wanderlustforwords @arubabookwoman Lol! Deborah guess which book I pulled off my shelf today? 😂 7y
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wanderlustforwords @Tamra Whoa! That‘s a strong book to start you off! The Pearl is the most thrilling Steinbeck I‘ve read yet. 7y
arubabookwoman #wanderlustforwords 😏 Uhoh. Well, I know a lot of people liked it so maybe you will too. I‘ll be interested to see your reaction. 7y
wanderlustforwords @arubabookwoman I love that about books. We can all find a connection or an adverse reaction for different reasons. I appreciate people that are honest! 7y
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Ubookquitous
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Andrew65 How true! 7y
Ubookquitous Yep - it is snowing 🌨AGAIN. 7y
asiriusreader Yup. Here too. 😡 7y
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Yeah_I_Read 😢😞 7y
JazzFeathers 😂 Yeah, l know 😒 7y
Cathythoughts Same here too 🙄 7y
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tarabu42
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Bread and cheese, bread and cheese; when a man marries he lives in the trees. with apologies to John Steinbeck. #bread #cheese #grilledcheese #comfortfood #cozylunch #pickles #rubikscube

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MiyakoBunny
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Day 22:A Book📖when I feel I might not make it-Steinbeck is my ultimate go to, especially when I‘m feeling distressed or down in the dumps or need reflection etc. This book is one of many of his that I find a beautiful solace in♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ #SurvivingDecember #BookTherapy #PhotoChallenge #Day22

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Jas16
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“To be alive at all is to have scars.” #scarstoyourbeautiful #tuneintonovember

Robothugs Great quote 😊 7y
JaclynW Lovely quote. 7y
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wanderlustforwords
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September line up! I've been waiting to read Out of Africa for forever, but I've heard rave reviews about Stoner, and I am a huge Steinbeck fan, so hoping it's going to be a good month!

Kaye I‘ve had Stoner for a long time and have yet to read it. I‘m quite a Mood Reader so I‘ll try it when the right time comes. 7y
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quirkyreader
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I got some of my Steinbeck's back from my mum. East of Eden is the TV-tie in. And yes I have that movie. And The Winter of Our Discontent is in the editions that I am collecting.

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Chelo
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"Farewell has a sweet sound of reluctance. Good-by is short and final, a word with teeth sharp to bite through the string that ties past to the future."
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"I shall revenge myself in the cruelest way you can imagine. I shall forget it."
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?was taken this past winter
#johnsteinbeck #thewinterofourdiscontent #bookquotes #currentreads #farewell #goodbyes #igreads

Bklover I loved this book! 7y
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Jas16
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#summerwinterreads #junebookbugs

While I do have a weakness for holiday books, I will read whatever whenever including Christmas books in summer.

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BillAicher
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"All men are moral. Only their neighbors are not." - John Steinbeck from 'The Winter of Our Discontent'

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Kalalalatja
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I couldn't find any more books #publishedinthe1960s on my shelves, but I bet there's more. Fortunately, the ones I did find I have either liked or loved, so doing okay in that respect! 👍

#AprilBookShowers

elkeOriginal Is that a Folio Society Wrinkle in Time?! Oh, my. 8y
Kalalalatja @elkeo it is 😳 I tagged it for the #cheapthrills prompt two days ago, if you want to see the cover 👌 8y
elkeOriginal I see it in that collage of books! Methinks it needs it's own post at some point 😁 8y
Kalalalatja @elkeo I will get on that, once I have some better lighting tomorrow 👌😄 8y
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BillAicher
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BillAicher
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BillAicher
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Current read.

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Bookzombie
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#marchintoreading Day 20 I haven't read this one yet, but my husband recommends it. It's his second favorite Steinbeck, tied with In Dubious Battle. The Grapes of Wrath is his favorite. #aseasoninthetitle #randomhusbandrecommendations

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ephemeralwaltz
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#marchintoreading #seasonintitle day 20
A few TBRs! *Winter* and *summer* seem to be much more popular in titles rather than *spring* or *autumn/fall*.. fall's my favorite 😔
@RealLifeReading

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leslieseidel
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LindsayReads
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"No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose they are like himself."

This entire passage contains some of the most beautiful, melancholy, loving thoughts I've ever read. ?????????

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LittlePixels
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With all the books I've brought home lately, I really need to follow the example set by @Liberty and do some #springcleaning . But this shelf stays. Along with the My Little Ponies and the sheepie dog. Because I'm apparently still an 8 yr old girl inside. And I'm ok with that. 😄

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mauveandrosysky
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Pickpick

A brutally pessimistic commentary on the American Dream and the lengths to which one must go to attain success. Steinbeck makes a deeply cynical case for moral consequentialism, suggesting that man must inevitably "tromp on each other" to get ahead and that ultimately it's worthwhile since western society values strength and success over virtue and decency. A necessary and scathing critique of American ideals that feels relevant today.

Joybishoptx This is a good one. Good review 8y
ReadingEnvy Yet another Steinbeck I don't know! Stacked it. 8y
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mauveandrosysky
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Fuuuuuuuuck.

reneelyons 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 8y
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