Sweet Thursday (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)
by John Steinbeck

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Book Reviews of Sweet Thursday (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)

Book Review: A Glorious Conclusion
Summary: 5 Stars

Steinbeck keeps the original Palace Flophouse alive, but now, sadly, it is occupied by the post war survivors. One of the beds is a virtual memorial to one of the boys. No one is allowed to sit on the bed, and everything is left the way it was when he left. Especially, because he is presumed dead, they hold out all hope and respect for his return. The "boys" slowly return from war, reunite and again, become the essence of Cannery Row.

Mack, the man in charge of the Flophouse, presides over the Palace on his street skills and hustling abilities, of which he is duly recognized and respected by all. Most of his attention, if not to the boys, is to "Doc" and the constant attempts to reward and recognize Doc for all that he has done for the boys, and all the "down and outs" on Cannery Row.

Doc, usually the strong, wise and controlled, meets his mid-life crisis ( for loss of a better description of his angst.) He returns from the war to his Biological Lab, which is in total disarray from the mismanagement of the person he left in charge. His return and shock in finding the conditions of his lab are the catalyst for the initiation of his self doubt and relentless introspection. A man from days before the war, he was content to collect biological specimens, preserve them, and reward himself with the pint of beer. All in town knew of his habits, his schedule and his goals. His self doubts create a disturbing equation to his life and the Cannery Row folk feel his unease and seek resolution. He ultimately confronts his loneliness with the attention and intervention of all the inhabitants in Cannery Row. All contribute opinions, astrological forecasts and speculations. Those that hold debts of gratitude are many, for he is a man that extends himself to all in need. Be it a man ill, he is the healer. Be it a person in disability, he is their ability. Not a man to be self-serving, he is their rock and their stability. Without him, they are all vulnerable to the nightmares they each dream at night. And, so, Doc, without any ill intention, allows all to see his infortune, his dis-ease, his vulnerability. He expresses his fear of failure, and his desire to write a scientific paper about the behavior of octopuses. He feels how important it is to his soul that this paper is written, and those who love him understand this priority. Enter into the turmoil, is a woman named Suzy. A young girl abused by her family into leaving her home, she steps off the bus to find a future in Monterey. More than a few people take her under their wing, and she becomes a treasure worth fighting for. Doc struggles with his pretensions, lust and love, all of it yet another stew to stir and dwell on. He is stunned by everything. He isn't acting predictably. The town watches, consults, and agonizes. Can they help Doc? What is wrong with Doc? The pulse of the town beats with the need to solve the puzzle. It seems to affect everything, yet compared to other towns, it has it's own unique difficulty. Really, it isn't so bad, after all, it could have Pacific Grove's agony with no monarch butterflies making their annual show.

Such unusual behavior is interpreted by the simple minded "boys" with great fear, for his well-being is inherent to them all. His discomfort is their discomfort. His joy, their joy. If he is joyless, or at a loss, so are they. What comes of this is their responsibility. They must change the world to accomodate the need for equanimity. They feel the ultimate need to produce this for their beloved friend, Doc. In this need, the story produces the joys and sorrows so perfectly and elegantly delivered by John Steinbeck.

Summary of Sweet Thursday (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)

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