How did the people of Salinas area feel about The Grapes of Wrath?

Opinions about "The Grapes of Wrath" in the Salinas area were mixed. Some locals felt that the novel unfairly portrayed the region, while others appreciated it for shedding light on the struggles of migrant workers. John Steinbeck, the author, faced both praise and backlash from residents for his portrayal of the area.