“But not us! An’ why? Because… because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why.” In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie are two travelling men who find jobs at a ranch in California after being forced to flee from their previous ones. However, Lennie has a mental disability that causes him to have very poor memory and a child-like personality. At the new ranch, this disability creates conflicts between Lennie and the other ranchers, eventually culminating in an intense climax and a shocking resolution. The book is considered historical fiction, with tragic elements. I really enjoyed the book because it presented a lot of morally gray ideas and solutions that really got me thinking about my own personal values and questioning what’s right and wrong. I would recommend a reading age of high-school and above, since the book contains a lot of profanity that would be inappropriate for younger readers. Also, the themes and ideas presented require a certain level of maturity in order to fully understand.

I highly recommend giving this book a read. The book isn’t very long and the pacing is pretty good. Plus, the suspense keeps you captivated the whole way through. Most of the characters are relatable in some way or another; for example, I’m sure almost everyone can relate to George’s frustration with Lennie. Also, the author does a very good job at making the plot seem rather believable and the writing style is very accurate to the time, which helps immerse the reader in the world. The book contains some great surprises, especially towards the end. However, the book can get a little boring in some places, especially since there are quite a few conversations that last longer than they really need to. Plus, my opinions may be biased since I’m a sucker for historical fiction. Either way, I think that the pros outweigh the cons and you should definitely read this book if you haven’t already.