A Poetic Lens on the California Drought.

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While factual account and data can be compelling windows into alien conditions, for some of us it still leaves us feeling unconnected. Some people, like myself need a poetic window or artistic connection into the feeling of a time, condition or place. If you have this aforementioned disposition it is to you that I would like to recomend John Steinbeck's To a God Unknown. 

Although published in 1933 the novel deals specifically with California drought and its affect on a farmer who is not only heavily dependent upon the land but in strong relationship with it. The novel follows Joseph Wayne who moves to California to homestead. With his brothers he sets up a prosperous ranch. Then dire drought strikes and all the prosperity dries up with it bring Joseph Wayne to feel the pain of the land and his responsibility to it. 

Rather than dealing with data or cold factual account we are given an emotional relationship to the experience of those deeply connected to the land and the feeling resulting from its incredible thirst. The novel does an incredible job illustrating the interpersonal and perhaps what may even be call the psychological impact. How truly valuable it is that we can look at a literary account like this see the shape of feelings towards California drought during another time. 

Through reading To a God Unknown I felt the pain of the land and those who depended upon it in a way that other kinds of accounts would have never been able to offer to me. 

If you are having a hard time making heads or tales of data or really understanding the conditions and impact that drought connotes I highly recomend giving this book a read, I doubt you will be disappointed. 

 Here is a link to the book on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/God-Penguin-Classics-John-Steinbeck/dp/0140187510


By Bode Smith

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