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The Winter of Our Discontent Audiobook
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Publisher Description
The final novel of one of America’s most beloved writers—a tale of degeneration, corruption, and spiritual crisis
A Penguin Classic
In awarding John Steinbeck the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Nobel committee stated that with The Winter of Our Discontent, he had “resumed his position as an independent expounder of the truth, with an unbiased instinct for what is genuinely American.” Ethan Allen Hawley, the protagonist of Steinbeck’s last novel, works as a clerk in a grocery store that his family once owned. With Ethan no longer a member of Long Island’s aristocratic class, his wife is restless, and his teenage children are hungry for the tantalizing material comforts he cannot provide. Then one day, in a moment of moral crisis, Ethan decides to take a holiday from his own scrupulous standards. Set in Steinbeck’s contemporary 1960 America, the novel explores the tenuous line between private and public honesty, and today ranks alongside his most acclaimed works of penetrating insight into the American condition. This Penguin Classics edition features an introduction and notes by leading Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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"This book is so intricate in its development, but so sad. It teaches valuable lessons about personal morality, its value, and what happens when you abandon it, if only temporarily. It leaves you sad and exhausted, but with a glimmer of hope, at least. I highly recommend it."
— Marcus (5 out of 5 stars)
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“David Aaron Baker’s calm, measured narration sounds friendly and familiar. He accomplishes a superb portrayal of Ethan, giving flawless intonation to a character whose sarcasm and honesty often intermingle. Baker’s vocal characterizations are convincing whether he is portraying the flirtatious Margie Young-Hunt or the belligerent town drunk, Danny Taylor. Baker’s consistency throughout renders a strong overall performance.”
— AudioFile -
“Steinbeck sustains the reader’s suspense, poses issues of responsibility—a man to his friend, to his employer, to his son, to himself—and leaves the resolution in final analysis to the reader. It is a fascinating and disturbing book, uncomfortably close to the challenge the average man faces in today’s materialistic world.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
By the Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
The Winter of Our Discontent Listener Reviews
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Ross Honeywill, 11/2/2024
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" I struggled with getting into this one because it is such a departure from Steinbeck's other works "
— Matthew, 2/14/2014 -
" Very American book. Honest man consumed by greed, soul destroyed . . . there is usually a woman involved in said corruption. Or two in this case. "
— Navneet, 2/8/2014 -
" Loved this book about a man's struggle between his value system and personal ethics and the greed and desires of his family. He pretty much destroys himself and others by giving in and playing "their" game of getting ahead in business. "
— Jami, 2/2/2014 -
" This happens to be my favorite Steinbeck novel out of the 3 I have read. "
— Clara, 1/25/2014 -
" Just as relevant today as when it was written "
— Susan, 1/24/2014 -
" It has been so long since I read this book, but I remember it being an interesting character study and beautifully depressing. It was Steinbeck's last full book he wrote and as such he had become fairly embittered at that point in his life and it shows. "
— Mrcaseyths, 1/16/2014 -
" In my top four Steinbeck novels. "
— Alex, 1/15/2014 -
" Not a masterpiece, but certainly a good read. It's a fairly standard heist story, but with the twist of Steinbeck's incredible patience and love of human scenery. "
— Myles, 1/8/2014 -
" A classic look at changing societal mores in mid-century small-town America, although I was hard-pressed to fathom the motivation of the main character at times. "
— Ron, 1/7/2014 -
" I love Steinbeck so I don't understand why this one was such a flop. I would like to give it more then 1 star but considering how bored I was and didn't finish that is all I can give. "
— Jen, 1/4/2014 -
" Definitely not my favorite Steinbeck novel. "
— Kathiem, 12/30/2013 -
" For readers, a really interesting story well told. For writers, a fascinating study of what one can do with a novel regarding structure and point of view. Highly recommended for both. Enjoy. "
— Joshua, 12/16/2013 -
" A while since I read it now, but one thing that stood out is that its critique of capitalism is as relevant now as it was then. "
— Fergus, 12/14/2013 -
" Interesting exploration on how a man came to a point of view on what is necessary for him to change his fortune. I liked that aspect of the story...the dialogue between the husband and wife, not so much. I'm not sure if Steinbeck intended that to make a point, but if so, I never figured it out. "
— SweetPea, 12/12/2013 -
" I am generally a huge Steinbeck fan, but I was pretty disappointed when I read The Winter of Our Discontent. Perhaps my expectations were too high. "
— Justine, 12/8/2013 -
" I couldn't even get through the first couple of pages. He writes in such a flowery way that it takes his character four pages to get out of the house because he is too busy admiring everything. "
— Brook, 11/8/2013 -
" Not my favorite Steinbeck. Stays with the struggle of the middle class themes, and it's an interesting take, the flow is a little tough sometimes, though. Found myself drifting in and out at times. "
— Andrew, 6/26/2013 -
" I thought it would be more disturbing than this...seem to remember a movie with this title. I will have to look it up and watch it again. I have vague memories of Donald Sutherland playing the main character and it was dreary. hmmmm "
— Cia, 12/22/2012 -
" Mmmm, loved this meditative look at the life of one caught in the past, trying to deal with the now. Pretty into the dissimilarities of other Steinbeck books I've been reading. "
— Chris, 11/1/2012 -
" Well written novel... but booooring... I had a hard time finishing it. "
— Neels, 6/26/2012 -
" What can I say? I love everything Steinbeck did. "
— Dee, 3/26/2012 -
" Very surprising change of location and characters for Steinbeck "
— C.J., 2/8/2012
About John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck (1902–1968) remains one of the quintessential writers of American literature. Born in Salinas, California, Steinbeck attended Stanford University before working at a series of mostly blue-collar jobs and embarking on his literary career. Profoundly committed to social progress, he used his writing to raise issues of labor exploitation and the plight of the common man, penning some of the greatest American novels of the twentieth century and winning such prestigious awards as the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. He received the Nobel Prize in 1962, “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” He wrote more than twenty-five novels during his lifetime.
About David Aaron Baker
David Aaron Baker is a voice and film actor. He is an award-winning narrator of dozens of audiobooks, including the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz, Paradise Dogs by Man Martin, and The Bartender’s Tale by Ivan Doig. He has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration.