By Shonushka Sawant | Web Editor

From the pen of Irvington’s own beloved Mr. Breiger comes a detailed and insightful analysis of well-known Californian authors, such as John Steinbeck, Amy Tan, John Muir, and Nathaniel West.  However, the volume includes detailed analyses of the works of several lesser-known writers, such as Herbert Gold and Richard Dokey. The City and the Fields observes the influence and essence of many pieces of Californian literature, especially those concerning issues which are still a significant part of life today. The role of California in the American dream is highlighted in Breiger’s discussion of the prospective farm in Of Mice and Men; gender stereotypes are illustrated in the summarization and explanation of works such as Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior.  The coverage of the experience and works of Maya Angelou heavily emphasize the importance of social status, ethnicity, and diversity; the clashes between cultures, languages, and the acceptance of different cultures are outlined in wonderful detail in the analysis of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. Men and women whose origins stem from many decades, many nations, many classes, and many lives are all depicted in this book to offer the reader a vivid, touching and powerful explanation of influential Californian literature and of the passionate, insightful authors who brought it to life.