Name: East of Eden
Rating: 4.517102615694165 (497 reviews)

John Steinbeck

Harvey Hart

Bruce Boxleitner

John Steinbeck's Sweeping Epic of Power, Love and Passion

East of Eden

The biblical account of Cain and Abel is echoed in the history of two generations of the Trask family in California.

I really didn't like the book's ending. I feel it was a bit rushed. I also feel like the characters weren't fleshed out enough for the time we spent with them. 

Apurva Shah

Ans Rizwan

Lee and Samuel were very phenomenal characters.

Adam Scharf

Nykky

Na wschód od Edenu

Dalia

East of Eden (Steinbeck "Essentials")

Irina

I’ve finally finished after months and months delayed!!! I’m trying to process everything, but simply put; I don’t think it looks up to the hype. I don’t get it. And no offense, I did enjoy some parts, but there were times it was painful to read through the paragraphs. Still, I read some reviews and agreed on the good points. I perhaps will write my own later (right now my thoughts are jumbled up in mess), so I will be sorting out my emotions to reach neutrality.

🏹

Not thou shalt. Not thou must. Thou mayest ~ meaning nobody is destined for darkness and nobody is automatically saved. The choice is entirely yours. Always yours.

Kaarthik sekar 

The word is Timshel. Thou mayest.

Not thou shalt. Not thou must. Thou mayest ~ meaning nobody is destined for darkness and nobody is automatically saved. The choice is entirely yours. Always yours.

California's fertile Salinas Valley is home to two families whose destinies are fruitfully, and fatally, intertwined. Over the generations, between the beginning of the twentieth century and the end of the First World War, the Trasks and the Hamiltons will helplessly replay the fall of Adam and Eve and the murderous rivalry of Cain and Abel.

East of Eden was considered by Steinbeck to be his magnum opus, and its epic scope and memorable characters, exploring universal themes of love and identity, ensure it remains one of America's most enduring novels.

What do you say about a book that has had so much said about it before? 

It's very good and it's quite different to the other Steinbeck books I've read. It was hard to follow all the characters at first, I couldn't keep the Hamiltons straight in my head. 

The later part of the book, when the narrator is omniscient was easier to follow than the earlier parts where he isn't. 

A deep cutting exposé on the dual nature of man, the inherent good and evil, the choice between them. Thou mayest.

Liam Richardson

What do you say about a book that has had so much said about it before? 

It's very good and it's quite different to the other Steinbeck books I've read. It was hard to follow all the characters at first, I couldn't keep the Hamiltons straight in my head. 

The later part of the book, when the narrator is omniscient was easier to follow than the earlier parts where he isn't. 

A deep cutting exposé on the dual nature of man, the inherent good and evil, the choice between them. Thou mayest.

A masterclass is a masterclass, whatever they may say.

The novel reads so incredibly contemporary and still relevant and at the same time, so, so timeless - it is what they mean in literature class when they talk about universal themes. It is not subtle about its metaphors and parallels but this is executed so well that it does not feel heavyhanded or single-minded. Rather, the novel is a variation on a theme, talking about the repeated cycle in which humans (or families) are trapped and the only way to break it.

Steinbeck's writing is also so vivid that it is the first time in decades I have thought I would love to visit America and see the places these characters inhabit. The narration is relatively straightforward but not at the expense of character complexities; rather than unpretentious, I would call it focused.

An instant favourite and an instant inspiration.

A masterclass is a masterclass, whatever they may say.

The novel reads so incredibly contemporary and still relevant and at the same time, so, so timeless - it is what they mean in literature class when they talk about universal themes. It is not subtle about its metaphors and parallels but this is executed so well that it does not feel heavyhanded or single-minded. Rather, the novel is a variation on a theme, talking about the repeated cycle in which humans (or families) are trapped and the only way to break it.

Steinbeck's writing is also so vivid that it is the first time in decades I have thought I would love to visit America and see the places these characters inhabit. The narration is relatively straightforward but not at the expense of character complexities; rather than unpretentious, I would call it focused.

An instant favourite and an instant inspiration.

Elyse 

East of Eden (Penguin Modern Classics)

"In certainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved."

Five months of reading this absolute hollowblock. I believe Cathy's and Cal's character will stay with me for quite a while. This has cemented itself as one of my 'life books'.

"In certainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved."

Five months of reading this absolute hollowblock. I believe Cathy's and Cal's character will stay with me for quite a while. This has cemented itself as one of my 'life books'.

absolutely stunning book! you get to dive pretty deeply into each character that was important and i loved to dwelve into how their minds work and think and that’s what i really love about books - to get a glimpse of people’s way of thinking or doing but also kind of relating to certain parts and characteristics they have

micki

Beautifully written, vivid characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this. 

East of Eden John Steinbeck's Sweeping Epic of Power, Love and Passion

Reviews

Highlights