Phil Jobling

Like Cannery Row, Tortilla Flat depicts the eclectic and itinerant communities of Monterrey with affection and humour. In doing so he provides an antidote to the cynical and materialistic times in which we live. Steinbeck taps into the generosity and waywardness of the poor lives to challenge the reader to think deeply about what is really important in the lives we lead.

As well as being hilarious, this book says much about humanity as it struggles with inhumanity of modern existence. Absurdly realistic, funny and sad from start to finish.

Clearly ahead of its time in the 1930s with a comic feminist narrative. But the strong characterisation and funny rural dialogue was undermined towards the end of the book by a cinderellaesque conclusion to the book. Somehow loses it's satiral premise.

A profound and intimate exploration of man's humanity and inhumanity. While exposing further, the barbarity of slavery and it's aftermath, Beloved is an exploration of personal morality, as much for the reader as the magnificent characters in this beautiful story.

A superb novel which continues to build the narrative arc of the Amgash community in subtle and profound ways. The observation of relationships and behaviours deeply moving.