John Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent is his final novel, following Ethan Allen Hawley, a Long Island grocery clerk from an old family, as he confronts moral compromise in pursuit of success. Through Ethan's struggle between integrity and ambition in 1960s America, Steinbeck explores how materialism corrupts values. The novel becomes both character study and critique of American culture, proving that Steinbeck's moral vision remained sharp to the end and that the American Dream's dark side haunted him throughout his career.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Steinbeck's final novel asks whether success is worth losing your soul, showing how easy it is to rationalize moral compromise. This underrated classic reminds us that Ethan's temptations are universal, that 1960s materialism set patterns we still follow, and that Steinbeck never stopped questioning American values.

DETAILS: • Author: John Steinbeck • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: September 1, 2008 • ISBN: 9780143039488 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days