Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Bluesky Threads Hello, I am planning to read my first John Steinbeck novel and looking for suggestions on which one to start with. I like long books which have great characters that make you care for them. Help me out Thanks by LoveWineNotTheLabel
RubyCat2026 on February 28, 2026 2:25 am East of Eden or The Grapes of Wrath. Both epics, but all of his novels are wonderful.
nealpolitan on February 28, 2026 2:26 am Light – Tortilla Flat or Cannery Row, Not Light – Of Mice and Men, The Pearl All are short and will give you an intro. Then you can move into the big ones…
triggerhappymidget on February 28, 2026 2:29 am If you like long books with great characters, then you can’t go wrong with either *East of Eden* or *Grapes of Wrath.* Both are utterly fantastic. *Grapes of Wrath* is my personal favorite, but I love the descriptions of California land in *East of Eden.*
8 Comments
Of Mice and Men
Grapes of Wrath is his best imo
Tortilla flat!
East of Eden or The Grapes of Wrath. Both epics, but all of his novels are wonderful.
Light – Tortilla Flat or Cannery Row, Not Light – Of Mice and Men, The Pearl
All are short and will give you an intro. Then you can move into the big ones…
If you like long books with great characters, then you can’t go wrong with either *East of Eden* or *Grapes of Wrath.* Both are utterly fantastic.
*Grapes of Wrath* is my personal favorite, but I love the descriptions of California land in *East of Eden.*
Cannery Row
Cannery Row