Finished reading Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. A novella inspired by the author's own struggles during the Great Depression, the story is about two men looking for work in California. George is ambitious, quick witted and friend-cum-mentor to Lennie, who is immensely strong but mentally challenged. After being forced to flee their previous workplace due to a misdemeanor by Lennie, they start work at a ranch near the town of Soledad, California. Here they meet a gamut of characters in form of people living and working in the ranch. The duo make friends, get into fights and all the while keeping their dream, of getting their own land, alive. The story ends in tragedy when Lennie unintentionally commits another crime.

In this book, Steinbeck gives a insight into the hard life of men working in the ranches during depression era California. Themes of racism, loneliness, desperation, euthanasia are touched upon.

The title of the book is taken from Robert Burns poem - "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough"

But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!