John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

I read Of Mice and Men last Thursday. That is, all but the first three pages, which I'd read the night before. It was short, engaging, and provided a striking contrast to what my brother calls Hemingway ("Old Hem")'s focus on "the one true word and the sort of war on the adjective."

The only other Steinbeck I'd read was The Red Pony, close to two decades ago. I suppose eventually I'll have to read some of his longer novels, having now read (unintentionally) what must be two of the shortest classics of American literature.

I may also check out the film version(s); I've seen only one scene (a rather pivotal one) of the Malkovich version, and just the opening credits (while TA-ing Intro to Film) of the 1939 film.

Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that this is actually the first Hemingway novel I've read. I found it engaging and extremely readable, with flashes of insight into human relationships and sometimes strikingly spare, realistic dialogue. And as I'm currently trapped in snowy Minnesota, it was thrilling to vicariously visit sun-baked France and Spain.

Also, out of curiosity, did everyone drink that much back then, or was it just Hemingway?