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Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
Barely any
Some minor violence; a party that goes badly wrong
Language
Barely any
Mild period language
Sexual Content
Barely any
Brief sexual references; Lee Chong's establishment hints at prostitution
Substance Use
Some
Heavy drinking is central to the social life of the Row
Emotional Intensity
Barely any
A gentle, nostalgic portrait of social misfits that is ultimately very humane
What this book is about
Steinbeck's loosely plotted novel follows the denizens of Cannery Row — Doc (based on Ed Ricketts), the genial marine biologist; Mack and the boys, affectionate bums who live in a converted fish-meal building; and various other eccentric characters — as they attempt to throw a party for Doc. Warm, funny, and quietly sad.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Heavy alcohol use throughout
Brief references to prostitution
Reader Verification
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