"Of Mice and Men" is a novella written by John Steinbeck and published in 1937. The book is set during the Great Depression and tells the story of two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, who travel together and dream of one day owning their own piece of land.
The book opens with George and Lennie arriving at a ranch near Soledad, California, where they will be working as laborers. Lennie is a large, mentally disabled man with a childlike innocence and a love for soft things. George is a small, wiry man who takes care of Lennie and looks out for him. The two men have a strong bond, despite the challenges they face as itinerant workers during a time of economic hardship.
As George and Lennie settle into their new job, they meet the other men who live and work on the ranch. Among them are Candy, an old swamper with a missing hand; Slim, a skilled mule driver; Curley, the boss's aggressive and jealous son; Curley's wife, a lonely woman who is desperate for attention; and Crooks, a black stable hand who is isolated because of his race.
Despite the harsh realities of their lives, George and Lennie hold onto their dream of one day owning their own farm. They talk about the details of their future plans and how they will raise rabbits on the land they will own. This dream gives them hope and a sense of purpose, but it also sets them apart from the other men, who have given up on their own dreams.
As the story unfolds, tensions rise on the ranch, and the men's relationships become strained. Curley's wife flirts with the other men, causing problems for George and Lennie. Curley's jealousy and anger lead him to pick fights with Lennie, who doesn't understand the danger he is in. When Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, he is forced to flee, with George reluctantly leaving him behind.
In the final chapter of the book, George finds Lennie and confronts him about what he has done. Lennie, who is unaware of the gravity of the situation, is upset that George is angry with him. George ultimately decides to take matters into his own hands and ends Lennie's life, believing it to be the most merciful course of action given the circumstances.
"Of Mice and Men" is a poignant and heart-wrenching tale that explores the depths of human loneliness and the power of friendship. Through the struggles of George and Lennie, Steinbeck examines the ways in which people cope with the harsh realities of life and the ways in which they hold onto hope and dreams in the face of overwhelming adversity.