On This Day: Novelist John Steinbeck wins a Nobel Prize
John Steinbeck wrote some of the world's most celebrated books, including Of Mice and Men. Photo: Getty
On this day 59 years ago, one of the worldās most influential writers, John Steinbeck, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
The Nobel organisation said Steinbeck won āfor his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perceptionā.
Steinbeck wrote 33 books before his death in 1968, including the classic novels Of Mice and Men (1937),Ā The Grapes of Wrath (1939), Tortilla Flat (1935), Cannery Row (1945), and East of Eden (1952), as well as a slew of influential short stories.
His writing dealt with themes of fate and injustice and often gave a voice to the working class.
Of Mice and Men was again made into a film in 1992. Photo: Getty
At the Nobel banquet in 1962, Steinbeck said he was undeserving of the award, but graciously accepted it on behalf of great writers before him.
āIn my heart, there may be doubt that I deserve the Nobel award over other men of letters whom I hold in respect and reverence ā but there is no question of my pleasure and pride in having it for myself,ā he said in his acceptance speech.
āSuch is the prestige of the Nobel award and of this place where I stand that I am impelled, not to squeak like a grateful and apologetic mouse, but to roar like a lion out of pride in my profession and in the great and good men who have practised it through the ages.
āLiterature is as old as speech. It grew out of human need for it, and it has not changed except to become more needed.ā
American poet and literary critic Dorothy Parker said The Grapes of WrathĀ was āthe greatest American novel I have ever readā.
Drama critic and commentator for The New Yorker magazine Alexander Woollcott said at the time that it was āas great a book as has yet come out of Americaā.
Since Steinbeckās death, Of Mice and Men has sold more than 14 million copies and his lifeās work has inspired political movements.
Seventeen of Steinbeckās works have been made into TV or studio movies, with Steinbeck earning three Academy Award nominations for writing.
Among the numerous popular films adapted from Steinbeckās books are The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Of Mice and Men (1992), The Pearl (2001) and In Dubious Battle (2017).
