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Breakfast
Breakfast is a simple short story by John Steinbeck in which purity of living is described. The story is about a poor family willing to work happily for a little better living. The family has no complaints against anyone else on account of poverty. They are contented with whatever they earn.
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About the author
John Steinbeck
1,045 books26.7k followersJohn Ernst Steinbeck was an American writer. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception". He has been called "a giant of American letters."
During his writing career, he authored 33 books, with one book coauthored alongside Edward F. Ricketts, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generation epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon. By the 75th anniversary of its publishing date, it had sold 14 million copies.
Most of Steinbeck's work is set in central California, particularly in the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His works frequently explored the themes of fate and injustice, especially as applied to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.
During his writing career, he authored 33 books, with one book coauthored alongside Edward F. Ricketts, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generation epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon. By the 75th anniversary of its publishing date, it had sold 14 million copies.
Most of Steinbeck's work is set in central California, particularly in the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His works frequently explored the themes of fate and injustice, especially as applied to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 28, 2024
It was very early in the morning. The eastern mountains were blue-black, but behind them the light stood up faintly colored at the mountain rims with a washed red, growing colder, grayer and darker as it went up and overhead until, at a place near the west, it was merged with pure night.
Early in the morning, a man walks by a camp where a young woman is nursing her child and preparing a meal for herself and two men. They are cotton workers who generously share their luck with the passer-by. Having been eating well for twelve days - apparently to their own surprise - they invite the man over to have some of their breakfast as well. As it is still cold, sitting down at the fire with a platter of bacon, bread, biscuits and gravy, the hot coffee and the welcome company, radiant sensations of well-being and warmth unite this small group of people.
(Galina Sergeeva)
First appeared in 1936, set at the background of the Great Depression and likely situated in the San Joaquin or Sacramento valleys (according to Steinbeck’s biographer Richard S. Hughes), Breakfast was the second piece that I read from John Steinbeck’s collection The Long Valley(1938). It struck me as more elevating and hopeful in tone and mood than the rather bleak, bitter and barbed story which was the first that I read from that collection, The Chrysanthemums. Both stories almost come across as each other’s counterpart, contrasting in colour and in outcome of an encounter.
Breakfast echoes the feel of biblical parables, particularly those of the talents, the good Samaritan and of the prodigal son. Ending on a somewhat mysterious, suggestive note, the heartening, brief encounter leaves this reader wondering on the narrator’s a lasting, glowing memory of generosity, hospitality and warmth. It reminded me of the maybe naïve but necessary creed that also – and possibly even more so - in times of hardship solidarity is the only worthy choice. As Lea Ypi wrote in Free: A Child and a Country at the End of History: And yet despite all the constraints, we never lose our inner freedom: the freedom to do what is right.
Breakfast can be read here.
Thank you Laysee and Lisa for making me read this simple and profound story.
Early in the morning, a man walks by a camp where a young woman is nursing her child and preparing a meal for herself and two men. They are cotton workers who generously share their luck with the passer-by. Having been eating well for twelve days - apparently to their own surprise - they invite the man over to have some of their breakfast as well. As it is still cold, sitting down at the fire with a platter of bacon, bread, biscuits and gravy, the hot coffee and the welcome company, radiant sensations of well-being and warmth unite this small group of people.
(Galina Sergeeva)
First appeared in 1936, set at the background of the Great Depression and likely situated in the San Joaquin or Sacramento valleys (according to Steinbeck’s biographer Richard S. Hughes), Breakfast was the second piece that I read from John Steinbeck’s collection The Long Valley(1938). It struck me as more elevating and hopeful in tone and mood than the rather bleak, bitter and barbed story which was the first that I read from that collection, The Chrysanthemums. Both stories almost come across as each other’s counterpart, contrasting in colour and in outcome of an encounter.
Breakfast echoes the feel of biblical parables, particularly those of the talents, the good Samaritan and of the prodigal son. Ending on a somewhat mysterious, suggestive note, the heartening, brief encounter leaves this reader wondering on the narrator’s a lasting, glowing memory of generosity, hospitality and warmth. It reminded me of the maybe naïve but necessary creed that also – and possibly even more so - in times of hardship solidarity is the only worthy choice. As Lea Ypi wrote in Free: A Child and a Country at the End of History: And yet despite all the constraints, we never lose our inner freedom: the freedom to do what is right.
Breakfast can be read here.
Thank you Laysee and Lisa for making me read this simple and profound story.
July 23, 2024
An early morning breakfast with a beautiful mountain backdrop takes this simple meal to another level!
May 29, 2022
I was alerted to this allegorical short story after reading a recent review penned by Swaroop.
Narrated in the first person, an unnamed man (Steinbeck himself?) encounters a group of migrant cotton pickers in a bucolic valley setting. The impoverished workers, though they have little, are nevertheless happy with their lot and even offer the stranger a breakfast plate of food. The humility and the charity that these people display is heartwarming, perhaps even biblical.
As ever, Steinbeck's writing is authentic and unadorned. There is a bonniness in this simple-yet-idyllic scene; a moral beauty that so often exists in the hearts and minds of those forced to lead a modest life — an overriding feeling of gratitude that is sadly lost in those of us who have attained a comfortable existence.
The piece is more scene than story and can be leafed through in the blink of a chameleon's eye...
And it's free to read HERE
Narrated in the first person, an unnamed man (Steinbeck himself?) encounters a group of migrant cotton pickers in a bucolic valley setting. The impoverished workers, though they have little, are nevertheless happy with their lot and even offer the stranger a breakfast plate of food. The humility and the charity that these people display is heartwarming, perhaps even biblical.
As ever, Steinbeck's writing is authentic and unadorned. There is a bonniness in this simple-yet-idyllic scene; a moral beauty that so often exists in the hearts and minds of those forced to lead a modest life — an overriding feeling of gratitude that is sadly lost in those of us who have attained a comfortable existence.
The piece is more scene than story and can be leafed through in the blink of a chameleon's eye...
And it's free to read HERE
June 3, 2022
Breakfast by John Steinbeck is a little gem of a short story.
Remembering brings the curious warm pleasure
The thing that struck me about this little story is its simplicity. It is often, and probably most likely, the simple pleasures in life that evoke the strongest memories. Those memories that bring some sort of strong sensory recall.
In this instance there was a lot happening to the senses. Visually – the setting described was wondrous, the smells – bacon sizzling, biscuits baking. The people – new shiny buttons and clothes, the neutral behaviour of the men, surely caused some uneasiness in our main character – only to be betrayed by their total kindness and generosity, and the young mother nursing the wee baby. The tastes - bacon, biscuits, and coffee. Oh, and the sounds - I bet the oven was crackling and the bacon was sizzling, and the baby was most likely cooing.
In less than three pages, Steinbeck has vacuum packed a whole bunch of images, sounds, smells, and tastes into the reader’s imagination. No wonder our protagonist remembers this breakfast with warm (cosy) pleasure.
Evocative.
4 Stars
Remembering brings the curious warm pleasure
The thing that struck me about this little story is its simplicity. It is often, and probably most likely, the simple pleasures in life that evoke the strongest memories. Those memories that bring some sort of strong sensory recall.
In this instance there was a lot happening to the senses. Visually – the setting described was wondrous, the smells – bacon sizzling, biscuits baking. The people – new shiny buttons and clothes, the neutral behaviour of the men, surely caused some uneasiness in our main character – only to be betrayed by their total kindness and generosity, and the young mother nursing the wee baby. The tastes - bacon, biscuits, and coffee. Oh, and the sounds - I bet the oven was crackling and the bacon was sizzling, and the baby was most likely cooing.
In less than three pages, Steinbeck has vacuum packed a whole bunch of images, sounds, smells, and tastes into the reader’s imagination. No wonder our protagonist remembers this breakfast with warm (cosy) pleasure.
Evocative.
4 Stars
August 31, 2022
Aw, man. I'm hungry now.
December 2, 2024
I had a few minutes and no book in hand earlier this evening and pulled up this treasure of a short story. It has been a while since I've read Steinbeck and it is a joy to remember how this man puts words on the page. Such a simple, cozy meal, redolent with smells, sounds, and textures that are clear and sharp.
Publication 1936
Publication 1936
June 4, 2022
A beautiful short story!
Thank you to Kevin for sharing this little gem!
Here is the link to Kevin's review
Thank you to Kevin for sharing this little gem!
Here is the link to Kevin's review
May 28, 2022
Breakfast is a very short, very significant story. It is a testament to how blessings can come to us unexpectedly and how easy it is in life to miss them if we are not open enough to simply see. It is a celebration of every man’s ability to give joy to another in simple ways, without fanfare and without wealth. It is a testament to what matters in life. And, it only requires a few minutes of your time to sample Steinbeck’s offering.
Many thanks to Laysee for passing this one along. I will do the same.
READ IT HERE
Many thanks to Laysee for passing this one along. I will do the same.
READ IT HERE
May 28, 2022
In Breakfast, a nameless narrator recalled a memory that over the years had rekindled a special warmth. Travelling on a country road in the cold of early dawn, he met a family of cotton pickers and was invited to share breakfast with them. The chill of the morning and perhaps too the man’s loneliness were contrasted with the warmth of the stove on which hot biscuits were baked, a baby nestled cozily at his mother’s breast, and the hospitality of total strangers. Steinbeck wrote a vivid prose that engaged all our senses. We see the display of colors as the sun rose over the mountains, feel the crisp coldness of the morning air, and smell the bacon being fried. There was something close to sanctity in their communion over a humble meal. This beautiful story can be read here: Breakfast
Thank you, Kevin and Swaroop, for putting this story on my radar.
Thank you, Kevin and Swaroop, for putting this story on my radar.
June 15, 2022
كن كما انت
و ارضى بما منحته لك الدنيا
و اعط بلا حساب لما سيكون غداَ
فالسعادة:ان ترضى اكثر مما يرضي الاخرون
فكلما اتسعت عينك ضاق صدرك
فلتقنع باللقمة الحلوة؛و اللمة الحلوة؛و الكلمة الحلوة.فالثلاثة فقط يمنحوك حياة حلوة
قصة قصيرة ذكية لشتاينبك صدرت عام ١٩٣٨ و تناولت ساعة من الحياة اليومية البسيطة لجامعي القطن في كاليفورنيا
و ارضى بما منحته لك الدنيا
و اعط بلا حساب لما سيكون غداَ
فالسعادة:ان ترضى اكثر مما يرضي الاخرون
فكلما اتسعت عينك ضاق صدرك
فلتقنع باللقمة الحلوة؛و اللمة الحلوة؛و الكلمة الحلوة.فالثلاثة فقط يمنحوك حياة حلوة
قصة قصيرة ذكية لشتاينبك صدرت عام ١٩٣٨ و تناولت ساعة من الحياة اليومية البسيطة لجامعي القطن في كاليفورنيا
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 4, 2022
Thank you, Kevin Ansbro, for bringing to my (our) attention this snippet written by John Steinbeck.
Of course, I am aware of Steinbeck, and even of some of his great works, particularly Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath, but the words of Breakfast are the first of his I have ever read.
As Kevin has noted, Steinbeck's writing is taut, sparse, and beautiful to the eye. His story has the same attributes and I, too, enjoyed its warmth, although not " ... the rush of warmth when I think of it." experienced by Steinbeck.
Grateful for the free read of a small work by the great man, the curmudgeon that I am urges me to comment that there are two obvious typos that should not have been allowed to appear in such a short, illustrious, work.
Third page, third paragraph: "We all ate quickly, frantically, and refilled ourplated plates and are ate quickly again until we were full and warm."
It's free to read HERE
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/rea...
Of course, I am aware of Steinbeck, and even of some of his great works, particularly Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath, but the words of Breakfast are the first of his I have ever read.
As Kevin has noted, Steinbeck's writing is taut, sparse, and beautiful to the eye. His story has the same attributes and I, too, enjoyed its warmth, although not " ... the rush of warmth when I think of it." experienced by Steinbeck.
Grateful for the free read of a small work by the great man, the curmudgeon that I am urges me to comment that there are two obvious typos that should not have been allowed to appear in such a short, illustrious, work.
Third page, third paragraph: "We all ate quickly, frantically, and refilled our
It's free to read HERE
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/rea...
December 27, 2022
This is one of the most beautiful (three page!) stories I have ever read. If you do not see Swaroop, Sara, or Kevin reviews then you can find a link to the story here
Narrator comes across impoverished migrant workers in a bucolic setting (kevin's most apt description), and is invited to share in what meager repast they so joyfully partake. There is no I or Me in this story, but rather humanity and harmony with the universe.
The descriptive writing reads like poetry. My heart is aching.
Narrator comes across impoverished migrant workers in a bucolic setting (kevin's most apt description), and is invited to share in what meager repast they so joyfully partake. There is no I or Me in this story, but rather humanity and harmony with the universe.
The descriptive writing reads like poetry. My heart is aching.
June 6, 2023
“When life is simple, all pretences fall away, our essential natures shine through”—-Lao Tzu
The richness of reading a piece of literature devoid of any form of verbiage cannot be demonstrated through human articulation, it can only be felt, more so in this day and age which prioritises the spotlight, the glitter, digitalization, where whole masses of humans have lost touch with the fullness of every second of life.
The uncomplicated premise is no more than a person’s fond recollection of a breakfast he was welcomed into, right before the crack of dawn, in an idyllic countryside. One of the reasons why this story filled me with a sense of epiphany is because it offers us a glimpse of human lives who don’t think much of themselves, but who eat when it is time to eat, enjoy whatever food life gives them, joyfully welcome anyone around for a meal and proceed to work when life asks them to.
I wouldn’t have read it were it not for the quiet splendour of the review written by wonderful author, Kevin Ansbro (it’s very beautiful I must say! And it has drawn many others into reading this piece) Please have a read of his review here—>
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Also big thanks to dear Swaroop for being the original discoverer for it. His winsome review is just as convincing for anybody. Here it is--> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The story is so short, one can finish reading it in just 4 minutes. I re-read it and it grew on me the second time. It is available for reading here—>
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/rea...
The richness of reading a piece of literature devoid of any form of verbiage cannot be demonstrated through human articulation, it can only be felt, more so in this day and age which prioritises the spotlight, the glitter, digitalization, where whole masses of humans have lost touch with the fullness of every second of life.
The uncomplicated premise is no more than a person’s fond recollection of a breakfast he was welcomed into, right before the crack of dawn, in an idyllic countryside. One of the reasons why this story filled me with a sense of epiphany is because it offers us a glimpse of human lives who don’t think much of themselves, but who eat when it is time to eat, enjoy whatever food life gives them, joyfully welcome anyone around for a meal and proceed to work when life asks them to.
I wouldn’t have read it were it not for the quiet splendour of the review written by wonderful author, Kevin Ansbro (it’s very beautiful I must say! And it has drawn many others into reading this piece) Please have a read of his review here—>
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Also big thanks to dear Swaroop for being the original discoverer for it. His winsome review is just as convincing for anybody. Here it is--> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The story is so short, one can finish reading it in just 4 minutes. I re-read it and it grew on me the second time. It is available for reading here—>
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/rea...
June 4, 2022
Some may say not a lot happens in this bite size story, but for the few moments it took to read it, I was transported to another time and place, and set to thinking about how the tiniest pleasures in life can be the most satisfying, and even the most simple kindness is often long remembered.
November 28, 2024
A chilly dawn. A man walks down a country road and gets invited to a simple, but hearty breakfast by a family of day laborers. They go to work and he continues his journey.
That’s all. I know, of course, some of the reasons why it was pleasant. But there was some element of great beauty there that makes the rush of warmth when I think of it.
That’s all. I know, of course, some of the reasons why it was pleasant. But there was some element of great beauty there that makes the rush of warmth when I think of it.
June 5, 2022
It’s always the simple and humble means that hold the genuine pleasures!
June 26, 2024
5★
"This thing fills me with pleasure. I don’t know why, I can see it in the smallest detail. I find myself recalling it again and again, each time bringing more detail out of a sunken memory, remembering brings the curious warm pleasure.
It was very early in the morning. The eastern mountains were blue-black, but behind them the light stood up faintly colored at the mountain rims with a washed red, growing colder, grayer and darker as it went up and overhead until, at a place near the west, it was merged with pure night."
I could say the same, that whenever I read this story, I also smile at the warmth of generosity on a cold morning. It was written in 1934, during the depression. His The Grapes of Wrath is well-known, of course, and this reminds me of the goodness of the people in that.
It is only a few pages and is included in his collection, The Long Valley, but you can download a PDF of this short story to enjoy.
https://www.unifr.ch/tmf/fr/assets/pu...
"This thing fills me with pleasure. I don’t know why, I can see it in the smallest detail. I find myself recalling it again and again, each time bringing more detail out of a sunken memory, remembering brings the curious warm pleasure.
It was very early in the morning. The eastern mountains were blue-black, but behind them the light stood up faintly colored at the mountain rims with a washed red, growing colder, grayer and darker as it went up and overhead until, at a place near the west, it was merged with pure night."
I could say the same, that whenever I read this story, I also smile at the warmth of generosity on a cold morning. It was written in 1934, during the depression. His The Grapes of Wrath is well-known, of course, and this reminds me of the goodness of the people in that.
It is only a few pages and is included in his collection, The Long Valley, but you can download a PDF of this short story to enjoy.
https://www.unifr.ch/tmf/fr/assets/pu...
March 14, 2023
John Steinbeck writes a short story that somehow is all about quiet dignity and pride in one's self and peaceful generosity. Strength,kindness,acceptence envelop the invitation to a passing stranger to partake a simple breakfast. Sweetly uplifting and beautiful word pictures.
June 3, 2022
I was perusing the latest reviews of my fellow Goodreaders and came across this short story by John Steinbeck. I wanted to read it right away because I love the writing of Steinbeck and because it was around dawn, the time of day the story takes place.
It would be so nice to start every day with a gem like this one.
It would be so nice to start every day with a gem like this one.
January 3, 2023
If I had not read other books by Steinbeck which includes quite a lot, short stories as well as hefty novels then I would have rated this one better. But being a Steinbeck's fan through and through , I will say there are many better and deeper works of his to read.
Nevertheless it doesn't make this story any less important. Reading breakfast gave me grapes of wrath vibes which I'm reading since sometime.
In Breakfast, an unknown man comes across a family of migrant cotton pickers. There's an old man, his young son and his wife with a nursing baby. The descriptions are quite vivid and have perfect Steinbeck feel. As the man passes by, he is offered breakfast by the family who themselves are living hand to mouth and yet they have offered food to a complete stranger.
The narrator describes cold and harsh weather around him but when he describes family one gets warm greetings of satisfaction and contentment.
That’s all. I know, of course, some of the reasons why it was pleasant. But there was some element of great beauty there that makes the rush of warmth when I think of it. And The reader is left with the same feeling as this narrator.
You can read the story here
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/vie...
Nevertheless it doesn't make this story any less important. Reading breakfast gave me grapes of wrath vibes which I'm reading since sometime.
In Breakfast, an unknown man comes across a family of migrant cotton pickers. There's an old man, his young son and his wife with a nursing baby. The descriptions are quite vivid and have perfect Steinbeck feel. As the man passes by, he is offered breakfast by the family who themselves are living hand to mouth and yet they have offered food to a complete stranger.
The narrator describes cold and harsh weather around him but when he describes family one gets warm greetings of satisfaction and contentment.
That’s all. I know, of course, some of the reasons why it was pleasant. But there was some element of great beauty there that makes the rush of warmth when I think of it. And The reader is left with the same feeling as this narrator.
You can read the story here
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/vie...
October 1, 2022
Its not cheating, i ve read it🤐🥸
May 29, 2022
Very nice :)
June 5, 2022
John Steinbeck in a nutshell. For a lover of his books, like me, it was a wonderful reminder of his genius.
June 20, 2022
This was really nice. And now I'm hungry for bacon.
July 1, 2013
The best Steinbeck short story... maybe my favorite short story ever.
October 23, 2021
So lively, so pure 🧡
June 2, 2023
Breakfast is a short story with the usual impact of a Steinbeck novel. Recommended!
April 29, 2025
Beautiful descriptions, as always, from Steinbeck. He gives a particularly interesting perspective on themes that he's looked into in The Grapes of Wrath; in Breakfast, he sheds light on the kindness of those who have nothing, the implicit "evil" of those above, and the lingering fear of job insecurity faced by those displaced by the Dust Bowl. Truly insane. He's so good at writing descriptively. I want to eat his brain.
May 29, 2022
Steinbeck has a way of making you feel like you are right there, watching the morning sun creep up over the mountains, smelling the sweet aroma of biscuits baking and bacon frying. A short but powerful read.
May 28, 2025
very simple, and very good. (and way too short. oh, for another full length Steinbeck)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews