<P> Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck, which tells the story of George and Lennie, two displaced migrant workers in California during the Great Depression (1929--1939). The story is set on a ranch a few miles from Soledad in the Salinas Valley . Since its initial publication in 1937, it has been frequently referenced in popular culture . </P> <P> Homages to the characters Lennie and George have been especially popular in American cartoons and animated films . The New York Times reviewed the 1939 film based on the novella thusly: </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> "</Td> <Td> Despite being endlessly parodied in Warner Bros. and MGM cartoons ("Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?") Of Mice and Men retains its raw dramatic power . </Td> <Td>" </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> "</Td> <Td> Despite being endlessly parodied in Warner Bros. and MGM cartoons ("Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?") Of Mice and Men retains its raw dramatic power . </Td> <Td>" </Td> </Tr>

His name is george and i will love him