Another great novel from Steinbeck who I have always considered one of my favorite authors. Not sure why I had never read this one before - I know I read its sequel "Sweet Thursday" several years ago and enjoyed it very much. Cannery Row is written in the style of "Grapes of Wrath" where he tells the story interspersed (every other chapter) with little vignettes that relate to the story. It is one of Steinbeck's more humorous novels telling the story of the residents of the Row including Mack and his group of vagrants, Doc - the marine biologist, Lee Chong - the Chinese grocer, and the local prostitutes. In Cannery Row, if things can go wrong, they will. This is especially noted in the first planned party put on by Mack and his gang for Doc - one of the hilarious highlights of the novel. Being Steinbeck, the novel also shows some of the tragedy of life including what happens to the young Frankie. All in all, I would recommend this one along with any other Steinbeck novel!
