The Grapes of Wrath is set in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The story describes the journey of the Joad family, who are forced to leave their farm because of severe drought and travel to California to find work. They encounter some demoralising social conditions and many disappointments, but they remain determined and continue on their journey.
The Grapes of Wrath is considered by some to be the triumph of Steinbeck's career, personally I think "East of Eden" was his best work. The Tuesday Evening Book Club thought the book was well written and gave an interesting account of the Great Depression.