John’s third wife, Elaine, once told me that Sea of Cortez was John’s favorite of all his books. It’s his wisest, to be sure. It replicates the conversational voice—Steinbeck’s intimate exchanges with marine biologist Edward F. Ricketts, his best friend (both went to on the voyage to the Gulf of California on which the book is based). read more
List of the best John Steinbeck books, ranked by voracious readers in the Ranker community. With commercial success and critical acclaim, there's no doubt that John Steinbeck is one of the most popular authors of the last 100 years. read more
Ignoring the postmodern, stream-of-consciousness experiments of many more "literary" figures Steinbeck was a straightforward, natural writer in the Hemingway mould of "less is more"—though slightly looser, more playful, and seemingly less cynical than his great contemporary. read more