Book Club: The Winter of Our Discontent (Part 1 of 3)

Published in 1961, this is the last novel of John Steinbeck's long writing career.  Often overlooked, it was not welcomed by contemporary critics because of its strong moral message about the decay of honesty and fair dealing in America.  In the following decade, the book and its theme were more broadly embraced, as Americans began to face the pervasive societal corruption of which Watergate was a symptom.  The story depicts the struggle of Ethan Hawley, a depressed grocery store clerk, whose father had mishandled the family fortune, destroying the family's aristocratic wealth and influence.  Ethan strains to follow a moral path in life, despite increasing pressure from his family and friends to give in to unethical opportunities to reacquire the money and power his family once had.

A timely novel for discussion for our current era, our discussion leader will be Ron Luce, a retired professor of English: BA from SUNY Brockport; MA from Ohio University; PHD from Ohio University (American Literature). He is a writer, actor, and artist.

Please register for this book club through the online Library Events Calendar or by calling us at 740-592-4272.