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The Pastures of Heaven

Penguin Modern Classics

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Each of these delightful interconnected tales is devoted to a family living in a fertile valley on the outskirts of Monterey, California, and the effects that one particular family has on them all. Steinbeck tackles two important literary traditions here: American naturalism, with its focus on the conflict between natural instincts and the demand to conform to society's norms, and the short story cycle. Set in the heart of 'Steinbeck land', the lush Californian valleys.

©1932 John Steinbeck (P)2021 Penguin Audio Anthologies & Short Stories Classics Short Stories
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Brilliant short stories. Ideal for audio listening and great introduction to Steinbeck. Wonderful narration as well.

Another Steinbeck Great

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There will never be another Steinbeck. The quality of writing is unsurpassed. Listen and learn.

Genius

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John Steinbeck throw us through the torment human desires and troubles. He takes us on a journey of the almost and tries tirelessly to stop us from quite reaching the ecstasy of completion. I marvel at the beauty of the valley it’s bounty and it hardship born out of an American dream like mist evaporating just before the dawn. What beauty, what tragedy what joy we nearly experience. I love his words like breath.

What a master of wistful desire

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It’s a lovely book, very Steinbeck, repeated themes and locations, disasters (those stories that have a better than 50/50 chance of turning out happy almost never do with Steinbeck), vivid mental pictures and characters well developed in what is a short story. Well worth a listen, beautifully read by the narrator, I enjoyed it very much.

Paints a vivid picture

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