A sad and moving tale - Rated 
In this short novel, Steinbeck chose two main characters. They are two wandering labourers, George Milton and Lennie Small. The former is the more intelligent one, a small and strong man with sharp features. The latter is rather a simpleton with a huge body and a shapeless face and he moves his feet like a bear moves its paws.
They both dream of saving enough money to buy their own modest farm but because Lennie is both clumsy and strong he always manages to get involved in some mischief wherever he can find some work. So George has to keep a constant vigil on Lennie - particularly when there are women around - in order to avoid disaster.
Steinbeck's remarkable achievement is to show in a short novel the pathetic way of life of two simple minded men and that of peasants in general in rural America in the 1930s. The dialogues are a delight to read because the author renders the characters' accent so accurately.
Compelling - Rated
Of Mice and men is one of the most beautiful stories about friendship. The story is about two Americans. The thoughts and actions of the two southern are made open for the reader to enjoy and judge.
The favorite character in the book is Lenny. He came out in the story as and was innocent person with a mental defect. It reminded me somehow of Dostoyevsky's THE IDIOT. The amazing thing about this book is that not a lot of books are based on such unique characters. Another attractive aspect of Lenny is his physical strength and hardworking nature. Yet, despite his meek nature, he was dangerous in the sense that he even killed a woman out of fear.
Steinbeck successfully created a philosophical twist to life through this story by bringing to life strong but vulnerable characters that we all can relate to.Also recommended: USURPER AND OTHERS, THE DA VINCI CODE , UNION MOUJIK because of their settings and characters.
Fantastic but heartbreaking - Rated
I read this book because my son is studying it for GCSE and is really taken with it. I can only say that I wish I had read it before - it is a fairly short book and easy to read but there is so much in it to think about - relationships, race issues, etc. I got completely engrossed and read it in one day. By the end I was crying. Loved it.
Terrible! - Rated 
I have many times heard John Steinbeck called a literary genius, so when asked by my English teacher to read this book for my GCSE's I was both uninterested and thankful when I came to read the last sentence. The book was both mind numbingly boring and (in my mind) a pointless piece of literature. I have, however found two highlights after reading this book 1) that I do not have to go through the trouble of reading anymore of Steinbeck's works and 2) that I have discovered I will not have to do coursework on this particular book. This book did not reach the standard I had expected. When comparing Of Mice and Men to other well known books written by Austen, Dickens, Orwell, Gaskell etc. and make a comparison- though written at different times and with different plot lines, you can see the superiority in both structure and language. I know now not to waste my time reading anymore John Steinbeck when I could be reading Fanny Burney and the likes. If you enjoy a stimulating read-this book is not for you. If you enjoy interesting plots and twists- this book is not for you. However, if you enjoy feeling as if you might die of boredom- this book is for you. And if you find reading about characters with violent psychiatric disorders fascinating, then this book is definitely for you. I offer my condolences for any unfortunate GCSE student who is forced to study this book, both of the present and of the future and I feel pity for any previous student or person who has had to read this terrible book. I doubt I would even give this book 1/10!
Simply brilliant - Rated
I have just finished this book and felt compelled to write a review because it is one of the most exceptional pieces of writing I have ever read. At just over 100 pages most novels only manage to get started but for an entire novel to be of this length and still to have an impact that is immense is a remarkable achievement. The characterisation is flawless and Steinbeck's skill at drawing us into the lives of farm labourers Lennie and George makes for a book that you genuinely can't put down. There are very few novels that I would count as flawless but this is most definitely one of them.
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