I think there's a lot of nuance to Of Mice & Men. Especially during the time period highlighted in the book, I don't blame them for believing in something like "The American Dream" even though it's the same reason why the country was flung into The Great Depression. It's almost blind faith--which I believe fits the characterization of our leads in the book. Of Mice & Men is pretty simple with it's linear & brief--

--story, but I think all & all I think the setting & time period is more contextual when it comes to the characters we follow. I'm no expert on the book--but I have read it twice & I've always enjoyed it. I can see how it could be lost on people. I don't really know how to describe WHY I like it, either. Though I'm glad you gave it a shot & read it! Perhaps it's just the storytelling that draws me to it--who knows!

As someone from a country that has been "sold" said American dream their whole childhood to slowly figure out that 1. it isn't real and 2. even if it was, I'm not American and thus not allowed to have said "American dream" because I'll be called slurs by the same Americans that sold it to me, I find it a little... hard to see it as you characterized it (a nuanced conversation about the time period and blind faith(c)

in a meritocracy that also isn't real, was never real and will never be real). I don't think the characters or the setting is badly stablished, I just cannot connect with their struggles having grown up how I did, with the information and experiences I've had regarding said American dream. But then again, our experiences are what guide our preferences and judgements, so I can also see how people could connect with(c)

the characters and their struggles, I just didn't. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That's entirely fair! I am glad you gave the book a shot, though! I can see where you're coming from. I hope I didn't come off as rude--I just love seeing what people think about the book! I honestly need to read more. I just never have the time anymore LOL