In this novel John Steinbeck depicts the so-called Mexican “paisanos,” a kind of hobos, who may live on the land but surely do not work it. They live hand to mouth. They do nothing worthwhile during the day, take it easy under the sun, eat what they can find and drink everything they can lay their hands on.  

John Steinbeck lived together with these lovers of life, and his portrait of their daily life is marked by a love for these people and their lives.  

The novel is undoubtedly germane in our own time—today everything seems to circle around reaching higher goals and strive toward more. The book asks the question: Who has the right to say what the right life is?  

Most of those who are looked down upon—because they do not live “normal” lives—often enjoy life more fully than those who spend and shorten their lives in the lust for money.  

The message? Happiness can be found in compassion for others and being self-determinant, to pay attention to the moment and do what you believe is right—no matter what “the others” and the great crowd may think.