Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck

Adopting the structure and themes of the Arthurian legend, Steinbeck created a "Camelot" on a shabby hillside above Monterey on the California coast and peopled it with a colorful band of knights. As Steinbeck chronicles their thoughts and emotions, temptations and lusts, he spins a tale as compelling, and ultimately as touched by sorrow, as the famous legends of the Round Table. This is the first of a trilogy, along with 'Cannery Row' and 'Sweet Thursday.'

I really enjoyed this book because of its parallels to King Arthur and his court, and the idea of group friendships needing a lynchpin, so to speak; the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I found the stories to be comical, sorrowful, sensual, silly, and at times quite serious.

Beloved scoundrels
stealing what isn't nailed down,
quenching endless thirsts.

Struggled through the first half of this a few months ago as it just did not grab or move me in any way. I don't mind simple writing or tales with meaning or a moral, but here there was just nothing to enjoy. The characters were boring, nothing really happened, and I just didn't care one way or another. It wasn't even particularly funny. Uncovering the book at the bottom of a pile today I realise I just don't have the heart to go back.

Was hoping that this would be a good, short introduction to Steinbeck's more substantial works, and Grapes of Wrath is on my ‘to read' list, but now I'm reconsidering!

This was such a nice, short, lovely read! The aspects of friendship shown here through the Tortilla Flat was so nice. I liked that each character came out after every chapter, and it was presented in a way that I was able to comprehend easily, distinguish, and enjoy, despite them being 6+ people by the end. I definitely wasn't ready for that ending, and it pains that the Tortilla Flat crew sort or dispersed due to Danny's death, because it's kind of what kept them together ;-;