"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck whisks you back to the 1930s, when the economy was more unpredictable than a game of Monopoly during family game night. The protagonists, George Milton and Lennie Small, are the dynamic duo of the Great Depression, roaming California for work, dreams, and maybe a farm to call their own.


Now, I'll be honest—when this book appeared on my high school reading list, I had the same enthusiasm as a kid receiving socks for Christmas. But surprise, surprise! It turned out to be the unexpected gem among the required readings. It's like Steinbeck threw a literary curveball that I didn't see coming.


The story unfolds in the dusty landscape of California during the 1930s, where George and Lennie are just two dudes trying to make a buck. They land a gig at a ranch, but this isn't exactly a working vacation. George plays babysitter to Lennie, whose mental gears don't exactly run at full speed. Together, they're the dream team with a dream—owning a farm someday.


But hold on to your hats; this ain't a sunshine-and-rainbows story. The characters they meet at the ranch, like Candy, a handless swamper, and Curley, the boss's son, add layers to the plot. Oh, and Curley's wife is there too, stirring up trouble.


Loneliness is the VIP theme of the story. Everybody's got a one-way ticket to Lonelinessville. George and Lennie are basically each other's only pals, and that dream of a farm is their getaway car from the city of Lonely. Candy's feeling useless and lonely without his hand her, and Curley's wife is doing the lonesome shuffle, craving attention like it's going out of style.


Then there's the American Dream—the holy grail of goals. George and Lennie's dream farm is basically the embodiment of it. Work hard, dream big, own a farm—sounds like a plan, right? Wrong. The harsh reality of life during the Great Depression puts their dreams through the wringer. Spoiler alert: things don't end with sunshine and daisies.


The characters? Oh, they're as complex as decoding IKEA furniture instructions. George and Lennie are like that odd couple, with George playing the role of protective big brother and Lennie looking up to him like a human shield. Candy sees their dream as his escape from loneliness, while Curley's wife, in her boredom and loneliness, detours to tragedy.


"Of Mice and Men" doesn't just dust off the cobwebs of history; It's a timeless tale of loneliness, the pursuit of dreams, and the harsh reality check life tends to throw at you. The struggles of the characters back then? Guess what—it's still a thing today. Loneliness? Still a thing. The American Dream? It's still a thing, but it's got more twists than a season finale.


As someone who didn't set the bar high for this book, I can tell you—I was wrong. The emotional rollercoaster of the characters hit me right in the feels. It's like Steinbeck reached through the pages and whispered, "You're gonna remember this one." The themes are like a fine wine—age well and hit you with a punch. Steinbeck's writing is so on point that it's almost a time-traveling memo to future generations. So, buckle up because this classic isn't just a trip down memory lane—it's a journey that keeps giving.