A timeless classic

Of Mice and Men is often required reading in many high schools and it is held in high regard for good reason. It stands among the best of Steinbeck's work and is also one of the best novellas around. 

Though a short story it manages to tell a compelling tale of two men - George and Lenny - during the Great Depression on the west coast of America (eagle eyed Steinbeck fans will recognise that this is a common theme among many of his works) simply trying to find a job to make enough money to buy food and survive. 

Though simplistic you do easily get attached to the characters and you begin to empathise with them and their situation. Lenny is a simpleton who means well but often finds himself in trouble due to unfathomable reasons: all he wants to do is touch and stroke soft things like rabbits but this gets him in trouble as he is a large man and often over exerts himself. George meanwhile is always ready to defend Lenny when the need calls for it. The two work together on a farm where they encounter issues such as racism (played as it would have been during that era in America) and grudges. 

Without spoiling too much else it's safe to say if you like Steinbeck you'll love Of Mice and Men. It, like many of Steinbeck's other works, is the story of working men trying to survive and carve out a place for themselves during a tough time.