Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
Steinbeck's admiration for William Faulkner is fairly well known, but he was also influenced by—of all people—Thomas Malory. That's right: the author of the English version of the exploits of King Arthur and his knights. Now tell us that he doesn't have a knight-in-shining-armor complex. Go ahead. (Source)
Steinbeck and his first wife had to sell their pet mallard ducks to afford the paper he needed to write To a God Unknown. We most sincerely could not make this up. (Source)
In 1958, Steinbeck's oldest son, Thom, wrote to his da from boarding school to tell him that he was in love with a girl called Susan. Steinbeck's response to Thom is the most direct, loving letter in the universe. Best. Dad. Ever. (Well, who knows. But there are perks to being a fabulous writer.) (Source)
Steinbeck took college classes at Stanford for six years, but he never earned a degree. Now get back to your books. (Source)
Steinbeck used his friend, marine biologist Eddie Ricketts, as inspiration for the character of Doc Burton. The two friends road-tripped to the Gulf of California and collaborated on a book about the experience called Sea of Cortez. We're betting you never got a book out of your holidays with friends. (Source)
John Steinbeck lived a life of extremes, despite his notorious shyness. #YOLO, right? (Source)