Tortilla Flat

Book Review

John Steinbeck's «Tortilla Flat» is a novel often regarded as a witty and poignant satire on the American Dream. Critics note that Steinbeck masterfully creates an atmosphere and captures the spirit of the time and place, depicting the lives of a group of friends in Monterey, California, after World War I. The main characters, the paisanos, live in poverty but find joy in simple pleasures and friendship. Steinbeck's style, combining humor and melancholy, makes the book easy to read yet deep and multi-layered. Critics also emphasize that the author succeeds in creating vivid and memorable characters that evoke sympathy and provoke reflection on values and the meaning of life. The novel is often seen as a tribute to human resilience and the ability to find happiness in the most unexpected places.