the winter of our discontent

Dear Mr. Steinbeck,

Please forgive me for ever despising you. Let's be honest; the red pony, the pearl-- not your best. But I have matured from middle-school eye rolling and I am ready to appreciate your word-smithing. I have endured the unappetizing appetizers of your tragic short stories as presented by Mrs. Kaizuka. Now onto the entree as presented by you.

We shall start with:

The Winter of Our Discontent

and move onto

East of Eden

followed by

Grapes of Wrath

and

To A God Unknown.

What I appreciate most about you, Mr. Steinbeck, is that you depict the character and depths of men. Those men who have to make difficult decisions and do because they want to provide for the ones they love. Men who allow themselves to be catalyzed into action to make the tough calls because that is what life requires sometimes. Men who are strong enough to be broken. Who have secret haunts and jokes with their wives to whom they are dedicated even when they don't understand them. Men who work hard and aren't afraid to have dirt under their nails.

I think there must have been a lot more of them in your time, because they sure seem to be a scarcity these days. But it gives me hope to read that they once were, and hopefully can be again.

Mr. Steinbeck, I am so connected to the worlds you create. My heart was meant for decades ago.

yours,

me.