excellent novel - characters are real,funny, insightful - novel is thoroughly enjoyable and a good example of Steinbeck's finest work.

Steinbeck gives birth to fully formed characters about as well as any modern author, and the characters in "Sweet Thursday" are some of the loveliest in literature. They all have their warts; they all have their peculiarities; they all expose a little heart sometimes as well. I'll bet you'll find a bit of yourself in this tossed-salad of humanity. I loved "Cannery Row" and Steinbeck doesn't miss a step in this sequel. You don't have to read "Cannery Row" first, but I'd recommend it. And if you liked "Cannery Row", you have to read "Sweet Thursday".

Sweet Thursday, Steinbeck's second part to Cannery Row, is in many ways an equal and worthy sequel and a pleasure to read. There is simplicity to many of the story's characters, but there is also a deep, symbolic, spirited prose in Steinbeck's writing, making even the simplest idea of life seem grandiose and thought-provoking. It's as if each statement takes on a larger meaning or is a microcosm for life.

Many of the same cast from Cannery Row returns to Sweet Thursday, including Doc, Mack, Hazel and the boys, and then the most relevant new character is Suzy. Suzy comes to town looking for work, and you can tell despite her denials that she carries some baggage with her. Eventually she takes up some work with Fauna and her girls in her brothel, but you can tell this just doesn't suit her. As much as the town takes an interest in Doc, Fauna takes an interest in Suzy, and she gets the urge to try to play matchmaker with Doc and Suzy. While much of the first half of the book deals with Doc speculating on life, Mack and the boys coming over to socialize, or Suzy's orientation into Fauna's business, the novel takes off a little more in the second half, when the town ties to figure out what is wrong with Doc (because even he doesn't know). The second half also focuses on Fauna trying to be matchmaker for Doc and Suzy.

Doc is really the character who drives the story, and many of Cannery Row feel indebted to him: "Doc was more than first citizen on Cannery Row. He was healer of the wounded soul and the cut finger...When trouble came to Doc it was everybody's trouble..." While everyone tries to decipher exactly what has Doc obsessing over writing the paper, and his frustration with it, Hazel, an unlikely hero, decides to try to take some matters into his own hands. While some of the story might be a little predictable by the novel's end, the mean by which Steinbeck is able to arrive there really is the talent in this novel.

Steinbeck has a way with prose, and seems to inject a symbolic nature in even the minutest moments. For instance, the very brief two scenes with the man who is called the Seer are important to the fate of both Doc and Hazel's later actions. There are also many beautiful descriptions of Northern California--Salinas, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Cannery Row. Steinbeck makes setting as significant as its characters. There is a small town feel to the novel, and whether Doc is lamenting over life with Mack with a drink of Old Tennis Shoes, or taking a walk over to his lab, there is a slice of everyday life in every chapter of Sweet Thursday.

Of all the books I've read of Steinbeck this one is my favorite. I think the case is that this one express life in the fullest. It gives a true reflection of the ups and downs while at the same time conveys a sense of joy even in the hardest things and struggles in life. Highly recommended, but read 'Cannery Row' first for sure.

A nice follow up to the infamous Cannery Row. The characters are not quite as vivid as in Cannery row but still a nice easy read and it is good to see how some of the characters progressed.