Description

April 2014 marked the 75th anniversary of the first Viking hardcover edition of John Steinbeck’s greatest literary accomplishment. Originally published in 1939, *The Grapes of Wrath* won the Pulitzer Prize and remains an enduring epic of the Great Depression. The novel follows the Joad family, Oklahoma farmers who are forced from their land and compelled to journey west to California in search of a better life. As they confront relentless hardships and struggle against the stark divide between the wealthy and the poor, their story unfolds into a deeply human drama—both vast in scope and rich in moral depth. The novel is straightforward yet profound, tragic yet uplifting in its portrayal of resilience and dignity.

Through its depiction of the struggles between the powerful and the oppressed, a man’s fierce resistance to injustice, and a woman’s quiet yet unwavering strength, Steinbeck’s novel vividly portrays the suffering of the Great Depression while examining fundamental questions of justice and equality in America. Author Don DeLillo once said that Steinbeck “shaped a geography of conscience” in this work, crafting each sentence with immense purpose. With its emotional intensity, evocative storytelling, lasting influence, and prophetic relevance, *The Grapes of Wrath* stands as one of the most quintessential American novels ever written.

To honor its 75th anniversary, this edition is designed in the style of the original, featuring Elmer Hader’s original cover illustration and specially crafted endpapers by Michael Schwab.