I've been rereading John Steinbeck lately. I picked up The Grapes of Wrath a few months ago, and I couldn't put it down — it seemed more relevant than ever. The economic strain, the search for dignity, the stubborn human instinct to keep moving toward something better. Steinbeck had a way of writing about America's hardest moments without losing faith in its people. That's a rare thing. That's also, I think, why his books still sell, still get taught, still have a place on the shelves of generations of readers.
At Juniper Books, we have created several Steinbeck sets over the years. Our latest is certainly the most eye-catching and expressive. Chris Huang is a Boulder-area artist whose work in colored pencil and ink on wood feels as layered and patient as Steinbeck's prose. Chris and I have worked together before — about ten years ago, he created the artwork for our American Landscape set, which was all about the melting pot of America and our literary traditions. This new Steinbeck set feels like a natural continuation of that collaboration, just more focused and, I think, more personal for both of us.
I sat down with Chris recently to talk through the inspiration behind his designs, the symbolism woven into each piece, and what it means to translate one great American storyteller into a visual language. Here's what he had to say.
Thatcher Wine: Chris, tell us a bit about yourself and the kind of work you make.
Chris Huang: My name is Chris Huang. I'm an artist living in Lafayette, CO — I've been in the Boulder area for the last 20 years. Most of my work is done with colored pencil and ink pen on wood. I like to use natural materials because they help inform some of my work. It's a really fun medium to work in.
Working on wood gives the pieces a texture and warmth that feels right for subject matter like this. There's something fitting about a natural material for work that grapples with the natural world and the human place in it — which, as anyone who's read Steinbeck knows, is very much what he was after.
TW: When you first started thinking about this set, what drew you to Steinbeck's work as visual material?
CH: I tried to illustrate ideas that are representative of Steinbeck's work — exploring themes such as hope for a better life, pursuing the American dream in the face of economic and social inequity and hardship. The first, larger drawing represents these ideas. The second, smaller drawing honors our cosmic connection to nature and our innate need to belong. That's a theme that runs through much of my original work anyway, so it felt natural to include it here as well.
What I appreciate about Steinbeck is that he doesn't resolve those tensions cleanly. The hope and the hardship exist side by side, and neither one cancels the other out. That's what I wanted to hold onto visually: the starkness and the warmth at once.
TW: These paintings are incredibly rich and detailed. Can you walk us through some of the symbolism?
CH: For the first piece [for the spines], I wanted to convey hope — but there's a starkness to it too, which represents the struggle and conflict that can arise when you're trying to get through life and improve yourself. It doesn't let you look away from the difficulty, but it doesn't dwell there either.
In the second piece [for the front and back covers], I included star imagery — something I use a lot in my work. For me, the stars symbolize the cosmic connection we have with the universe. And I feel like that's genuinely present in Steinbeck's writing too. His characters aren't just embedded in their social circumstances; they're part of something much larger and much older. I wanted to capture that.
TW: One of the things we try to do with every Juniper Books set is give you something to discover the longer you look. These aren't covers you glance at once and understand completely. They reward attention, which feels right for books that do the same thing.
TW: What about the poppy flowers? There's something striking about how they appear against that field.
CH: There's a reference to poppies in one of Steinbeck's books, and specifically, these are California poppies. Several of his most important stories are set in California — Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, the migrant road of the Joads heading west — so I thought the California poppy was the right choice. It's a detail that rewards people who know the books.
TW: And the darkness behind those poppies — I love what it does. You initially read it as an empty field, then realize they are stars. It shifts the whole feeling of the image. The small and local becomes cosmic. This is very much what Steinbeck does in his writing.
Why We Made This Set
TW: Steinbeck's books have been on shelves for nearly a century. They've been school-assigned, dog-eared, passed between friends, and left on nightstands for years. They're part of American literary life in a way that very few authors manage. We wanted to make Steinbeck’s works look as special on the shelves as they are to hold and read.
What Chris created for this set is genuinely moving to me, the kind of art that makes you want to pick up the books again, even if you've read them before. The kind of cover that makes The Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden feel as alive on your shelf as they do in your hands.
A bookshelf should tell the story of who you are. If John Steinbeck is part of your story, or if you're ready to make him part of it, this set is for you.
Explore the Steinbeck special edition book set and our full collection of hardcover literary classics at Juniper Books.
FAQ
Q: What are the best John Steinbeck books to read first?
A: Many readers start with Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and East of Eden, which showcase Steinbeck's ability to write about friendship, family, hardship, and the American dream.
Q: Why is John Steinbeck still relevant today?
A: Steinbeck explored economic uncertainty, migration, inequality, resilience, and community—topics that continue to resonate with readers generations after his books were published.
Q: What is the best John Steinbeck collection for a home library?
A: A well-curated Steinbeck collection should include his most influential novels while also serving as a lasting display piece that reflects his connection to American landscapes and storytelling.
About This Book Set
This is a Juniper Books special-edition hardcover set featuring original artwork by Colorado artist Chris Huang. The set includes art prints wrapped around classic Steinbeck hardcover books, designed for collectors, book lovers, and gift givers.
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