Unexpected Travels with John Steinbeck

A long time ago, maybe as far back as college or even high school, I read a few of the short novellas of John Steinbeck; they included The Pearl and Of Mice and Men. Their stark, tragic power left me so devastated I was not eager to reach for more. Time flies and more than a few years later, I stumbled across an unexpected novella/drama, and my book club "forced" me to pick up East of Eden. Again, I was blown away by the themes, observations, characterizations and imagery that seem so relevant not only to my life, but to the societal issues we are facing now. This time, despite one of the darkest, evilest characters in Cathy that I have ever come across, I wanted more. Thus, I find I am on a slow journey through John Steinbeck's writings that will continue into the foreseeable future.

Although, I long to discuss John Steinbeck's masterpieces, East of Eden and The Grapes of Wrath, there are two of his "minor", less well-known works that completely took me by surprise. While the themes continue to be serious and weighty, the tone is lighter and the settings surprising. I encourage everyone to check them out.

Fiction: After the rush of the challenging adult summer reading program at my local library, I was casually browsing the shelves when I came across this little volume. I could not miss Steinbeck in big letters across the top of the cover, but I didn't think it was John Steinbeck who would be writing about Nazi-occupied Norway, or that he would be writing a novella that also became a dramatic script. (Yes, there is a movie version from 1943.) Focusing on one small, coastal town, Steinbeck relates the reaction of its citizens with to German occupation. The Norwegians, while temporarily defeated, continue to resist the Nazis in any way possible. In particular, the mayor of the town, whose home has become the Nazi headquarters, attempts to protect the citizens while at the same time refusing to cooperate with the aggressors. Similarly in East of Eden, Steinbeck examines individual choices within the context of community and difficult circumstances. Freedom, free will and independent thought make the difference. As Mayor Orden says, "'The people don't like to be conquered, sir, and so they will not be. Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat. Herd men, followers of a leader, cannot do that, and so it is always the herd men who win battles and the free men who win wars. You will find that is so, sir.'" Deservingly, Steinbeck received the King Haakon Liberty Award for The Moon is Down.

I found The Short Reign of Pippin IV: A Fabrication in a local used book shop. It was a steal for only $3.00, hardcover and with illustrations by William Pene du Bois. Reminiscent of P. G. Wodehouse in tone, Steinbeck relates the imagined attempt to restore France's monarchy post World War II. Each political faction believes they can achieve power through manipulating a figurehead king. Bypassing the Bourbons, the throne is offered to unsuspecting Pippin Heristal, a direct descendent of Charlemagne, who would much rather continue his quiet life gazing at stars and planets. Pippin realizes he's being played, and if, in the interest of the people, he decides really to rule, he will likely end up "worthy of the guillotine".

A little knowledge of French history and politics is helpful, but not necessary to understand the themes Steinbeck presents. Regarding power and politics, business, and the plight of the average person, I find similarities with The Grapes of Wrath, although the situation in France by that time was not nearly as desperate as that of the displaced farmers from Oklahoma and other midwestern locations of the 1930s. Both books present the pressures on the "little person" when too much power, too much money, selfishness and fear get in the way. As Pippin says, "'People are good - just as long as they can be. Everybody wants to be good. That is why I resent it when goodness is made difficult or impossible by others'" (101).

Nonfiction: I don't generally listen to a lot of audiobooks as I find it too easy to become distracted and miss some vital information. Pausing and rewinding can get annoying. Yet this summer I discovered iCloud library and have been borrowing audiobooks to listen to while I get my chores done. I literally just finished Travels with Charley: In Search of America a few days ago, and it felt like hearing a friend's account of their travels. I love travelogues (and traveling myself), and according to Steinbeck this is " burning desire to go" places is one of the defining characteristics of Americans. I enjoyed looking at my home state of Maine in the 1960s through his eyes. George, the cat from Deer Isle, was an amusing anecdote. Naming his camper truck Rocinante after Don Quixote's horse was a nice touch, and Charley was much more than just a sidekick.

Not all of his journey was pleasant. He saw the wastefulness of overconsumption, the laziness that allowed immigrants to do the "humble work", and the overall discontent that paradoxically prosperity had brought. Steinbeck witnessed firsthand the deep divisions in the South over forced desegregation. Yet, while worried and concerned for the future, I don't think he was as disgusted with Americans as many have stated, for he commented, “from start to finish I found no strangers. If I had, I might be able to report them more objectively. But these are my people and this my country. If I found matters to criticize and to deplore, they were tendencies equally present in myself.” I wonder if he would say the same things now.

Tea: John Steinbeck did not seem to drink a lot of tea. On his travels around America, he drank a lot of black coffee (and alcohol). When drinking coffee, I mainly stick to lattes or anything with milk. Recently, visited two coffee shops I recently that I really enjoyed. Wrapped Up Coffee in Hallowell is a cozy little shop on Water Street, whose back porch overlooks the Kennebec River. Their tiramisu latte was particularly lovely on a cloudy day.

Closer to home, I discovered Cuppa Jo's in Yarmouth. This French themed and decorated coffee shop is the perfect place to read. I had a French vanilla rose latte which was delightful, but I hope to return to try some of their other offerings. (After I ordered the latte, a Marco Polo tea by the French tea company, Mariage Freres caught my eye.)

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Artwork credited to Aurora Draws - contact aliceechesley@gmail.com for more details

All photographs by the author