Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1047605
IMMORTAL WORDS The Lasting Legacy of Author John Steinbeck B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D D ecember 20, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of one of America's most beloved writers—and Monterey County's most of America's most beloved writers—and Monterey County's most famous sons—John Steinbeck. His body of work is widely regard- famous sons—John Steinbeck. His body of work is widely regard- ed as among the finest of his generation, and has been translated into ed as among the finest of his generation, and has been translated into ed as among the finest of his generation, and has been translated into more than 40 languages, ensuring that his novels, short stories and non- more than 40 languages, ensuring that his novels, short stories and non- fiction reach readers in every part of the planet. fiction reach readers in every part of the planet. fiction reach readers in every part of the planet. Even though Steinbeck, like many small-town people who hit the big time, Even though Steinbeck, like many small-town people who hit the big time, moved on to brighter lights and bigger cities, the shadow he cast in and moved on to brighter lights and bigger cities, the shadow he cast in and around Monterey County has loomed large in the decades since his passing. around Monterey County has loomed large in the decades since his passing. John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was born February 27, 1902, in Salinas, which John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was born February 27, 1902, in Salinas, which was at the time a city of around 5,000 souls. His family home still stands was at the time a city of around 5,000 souls. His family home still stands at 132 Central Avenue, preserved by The Valley Guild, a nonprofit dedi- at 132 Central Avenue, preserved by The Valley Guild, a nonprofit dedi- at 132 Central Avenue, preserved by The Valley Guild, a nonprofit dedi- cated to maintaining this important property and operating a popular cated to maintaining this important property and operating a popular restaurant on the site. The young Steinbeck was by many accounts some- restaurant on the site. The young Steinbeck was by many accounts some- what of an odd duck, prone to wearing long winter coats during the sum- what of an odd duck, prone to wearing long winter coats during the sum- mer and preferring to spend time with workers in the vast agricultural mer and preferring to spend time with workers in the vast agricultural fields of the verdant Salinas Valley over hanging out with his peers at fields of the verdant Salinas Valley over hanging out with his peers at fields of the verdant Salinas Valley over hanging out with his peers at Salinas High School. His memories of and affection for the people and Salinas High School. His memories of and affection for the people and Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President i Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President i Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President i Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President SS Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President i Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President 963 Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President i Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President if Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President i Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President f Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President i Steinbeck visited the USSR in 1963 with wife Elaine on a cultural exchange program at the behest of President John F. Kennedy. Three years later, he reported on war-torn Vietnam for President Lyndon B. Johnson. 94 94 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8 Photo: Courtesy of Trotter Galleries