My mistake with Steinbeck was trying to read Grapes of Wrath, when I already knew the Cisco Houston version of the song, but had not known it was based on any book, let alone the one I was trying to read. I found him unreadable through no fault of his own, because the song was so much more entertaining.
I have never been able to read anything of his.
I wish I had tried to read him earlier. He sounds great.