A story that could have been trite and corny is deftly handled by Steinbeck in this tale of tragic fate in the American West during the Depression and Dust Bowl.  George Milton and Lenny Small arrive at a ranch and by page 5, the inevitable disaster is set in motion as Curly and his wife, the stable buck, Candy, and the others move towards the heart-breaking finale.   Every character is stuck with their part, long ago determined by their lot in life.