Current word count in my new novel – 71,600 words.
John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” was a lot darker than I remember it from high school. I remember Lennie quite well, but George wasn’t as sympathetic as I remembered him from way back then. The interesting thing about Steinbeck is his introduction to sections being in third person omniscient and only after seting the mood, does he move to a close 3rd person POV. Although, he does break this as well whenever it suits the story. I doubt we novice authors could get away with that nowdays.
Within the first few pages of the story, he sets up all of the foreshadowing for events to come. In fact, foreshadowing drives this whole novella. So much, that when the story barrels into its conclusion, you already know what is going to happen and can’t help but watch. It’s no wonder this is story is still a masterpiece. I’m glad I reread it.
Next up, Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.” I have been wanting to read this one for quite some time now.
– Brennan Harvey