Cannery Row

John Steinbeck

I read this novel while trying to construct my own first novel in voices of characters who were smart but not particularly well-educated. I thought this was a severe limitation. Then I read Cannery Row and the scales fell from my eyes. Steinbeck could insert poetry into anybody's world view, even that of a groundhog.

Barbara Kingsolver
Author of poetry, essays, and novels, including The Bean Trees and Poisonwood Bible

Share your pivotal books!

• Read what others have sent in