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Product Review Summary: amusing satire is subpar Steinbeck The Short Reign of King Pippin IV is an amusing satire but subpar Steinbeck It takes place in contemporary France and mocks the factionalism and the ability of the French of that era to put together a stable government because of there were so many parties. Acommon joke among diplomats in Paris at that time was if you didnt like the French ubiquitiouser of wait a few months and it would change. In the scenario Steinbeck creats the parliament decides to bring the royalty back and they pick the bookkeeper of one of the former nobility to do the job. The satire is hit and miss some of it is over the top and even somewhat of cheap shots at the French .He mocks America as well At the end of the day it is Pippins characterization that is more o three because of S than the satire and the book is lighter than air it is subpar Steinbeck . I would give this book 3 and a half stars if Ihad the option I lower it to three because of Steinbecks talent. Conversely if it was a lesser writer I might have raised it to 4 stars
Product Review Summary: Funny Steinbeck Pippin is a lark of a novel. It has the combination af subtle wordplay and broad humor of the best of Monty Python. What it lacks is the dark intensity of some of Steinbeck's greatest work. I say this not as a critism, but more so that you can know what to expect. The descriptions of the myriad political parties fighting around the coronation of Pippin are particularly funny and Kafkaesque (albeit a hell of a lot funnier). Definitely recommended if you are in the mood for something light and pleasant.
Product Review Summary: Clever John Steinbeck again proves to be one of the great writers of the 20th century with the political satire "The Short Reign of Pippin IV". The synopsis on the back cover of the book accurately describes it as a "dazzling, effervescent satire on practically everything."
When the political factions of France can not decide in which direction the country's leadership should go, they decide the only way to unite the country is unite them behind the mutual dislike of a king. Enter the illegitimate son of the former king and amateur astronomer, Pippin. The factions of the government make a reluctant king of Pippin. As the title suggests, Pippin's reign is short. When he realizes the factions of the government have crowned him to be a patsy, he tries to fix the system of government. Of course, this leads to Pippin's depose. While keenly aware of the consequences of speaking his mind, Pippin did it anyway.
This satire reveals a side of Steinbeck not seen in his other works. While Steinbeck is critical of government, he never blantantly mocks a system. Many of the surprises of this book are best discovered by the reader. Satire is best discovered by yourself.
Product Review Summary: Probably his most disappointing work I have read all but two of the books by Steinbeck that were published. The Short Reign of Pippin IV is by far my least favorite. There is, in my opinion, a decided stylistic shift in Steinbeck's writing following the war, and his books became increasingly bourgeois. This book is the pinnacle of this shift. I had a very difficult time reading this book, and actually had to put it aside at one point out of disappointment and frustration.
Product Review Summary: What a surprise Someone once said "I cannot read more than ten pages of Steinbeck without throwing up." It is a feeling that I share wholeheartedly. I've found the novels of his that I've read to be bleak, depressing, and punctuated with lovingly rendered depictions of disease and gore. However, this book (as well as "The Deeds of King Arthur"), to some degree redeems Steinbeck in my eyes. I found it in a used bookstore, and I was so intrigued by the idea of John Steinbeck writing a comedy, that I bought it immediately. Its a farcical tale of a French Astronomer who, by some twist of fate, is briefly appointed King of France. In its style, it is reminiscent of novels by other famous authors, such as Dumas and Voltaire. It did not have me rolling in the aisles with mirth, but there were so many beautifully turned comic phrases and situations, that I was just in awe that this was the same man who had written the book "The Black Pearl" (in my mind, one of the most utterly disgusting books I have ever read). If he had added a bit more of the comic touches he used in this book, to his other novels, such as "East of Eden," I believe he would have humanized them, and would have better succeeded in conveying his message. "Pippin IV" is a true little gem as full of mirth and humor as his other works are full of misery and despair. I highly reccomend it, especially if you are not fond of Steinbeck's works. If nothing else, it will give you an appreciation of his technical abilities as a writer.
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