John Steinbeck

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

East of Eden

'One day we'll sit and you'll lay it out on the table, neat like a solitaire deck, but now--why, you can't find all the cards.'

[Adam] contributed to the quiet he wished for by offering no violence, no contention, and to do this he had to retire into secretness, since there is some violence in everyone. He covered his life with veil of vagueness, while behind his quiet eyes a rich full life went on. This did not protect him from assault but it allowed him an immunity.

Pramit Pal

"Sometimes a man wants to be stupid if it let's him do a thing his cleverness forbids."

Shrewdness is a limitation on the mind. Shrewdness tells you what you must not do because it would not be shrewd.

Mazzy

"Well, a man's mind can't stay in time the way his body does."

I think the difference between a lie and a story is that a story utilizes the trappings and appearance of truth for the interest of the listener as well as of the teller. A story has in it neither gain nor loss. But a lie is a device for profit or escape. I suppose if that definition is strictly held to, then a writer of stories is a liar -- he is financially fortunate.

nearly all men are afraid, and they don't even know what causes their fear

The direction of a big act will warp history, but probably all acts do the same in their degree, down to a stone stepped over in the path or a breath caught at sight of a pretty girl or a fingernail nicked in the garden soil.

I remember my childhood names for grasses and secret flowers.

Caitlin

Lamia Hajani

It took me many years to finally open East of Eden and read it. I was a little scarred from Grapes of Wrath in high school - I didn't like that one when I was 16.

I'm so glad that I did read East of Eden. I felt it lifting me up, breaking my heart, making me happy, making me cry, making me wonder. All these emotions on every single page. I would recommend this book to every person I know, because I feel like I've learned so much from it. It's worth every single word/page.

If you're doubting whether or not to read this, take this as a sign: read it.

altlovesbooks

"Perhaps the best conversationalist in the world is the man who helps others to talk."

This is a hard book to review, mostly because I'm not really sure why this turned out to be such a compelling read. It's like a character study spanning a generation, where everyone's thoughts and motives are center stage. The main "meat" of the book surrounds Adam and his family, though several other characters come in and out of frame that play a large role in how Adam develops. The time period spans from 1862 to the outbreak of World War I, and for your time spent you really start to develop an understanding and an interest in this family who settles in Salinas Valley, California.

If we're being honest here, I really thought this was going to be a DNF book for me. If it wasn't for literally everybody around me telling me how good this book is and me not wanting to deal with defending myself for the rest of my life, I probably would have put it down within the first third or so. I found this book to really drag in the beginning, which is what prevents me from giving it a full five stars. It pulled me in hard once things start to come together and you find out how all the pieces you were introduced to in the beginning fit, and I found the rest to be a very satisfying (if long) read. 

I also wasn't fully satisfied with (view spoiler)[Kate/Cathy and her resolution. We can see her slow descent into paranoia and suspicion, but her deciding to suddenly kill herself (I say suddenly, when it's clear she's been planning it a while) felt out of character from what she was set up as. Steinbeck made an attempt to set her up as a sympathetic, pitiful character in the end, but I still don't think it makes up for how she got there. (hide spoiler)]

Can we also just talk a second about how awesome a character Lee was? The dude really carried the family on his shoulders, I swear.

So, all in all, I'm very glad I gave this book so many chances and stuck with it 'til the end. It's a satisfying book to have read. I'm glad I listened to my friends (for once).

alexandra

one of my all-time faves!! might change the rating to 5/5 but i’m docking a star atm since it was slow & a TREK to get through. however by the end, i love & appreciate all the tangents. it really wouldn’t be the same experience if it were shorter. the characters!! relationships!! existentialism!!!! i love.

Michael Springer

This book is terrific. If you haven't read it, this one should immediately go on your "To read" list.

Colleen

It is hard to describe East of Eden. While I was reading this, someone asked me what it was about and I had a hard time answering anything beyond, "It is an epic tale of two families." Since this book is primarily character driven rather than plot driven, it is difficult to describe what it is about without going into great detail. 

Steinbeck's genius is definitely in his descriptions and in his character building. He certainly did a phenomenally better job at creating a female sociopath than Gone Girl did! It might even be insulting to Steinbeck to compare the two. All of the characters were complex and well-drawn and beautifully flawed. Steinbeck's description of everyday things, of the town and the land, were so beautifully detailed and poetic.

That being said, it took me about six weeks to read this book. I don't remember the last time I took that long to finish reading a novel particularly one I liked. I would swear I had read about a hundred pages and then look down to find it was only thirty. I kept comparing my reading experience with molasses. Slow going, robust flavor, sweet in small amounts, but much too overwhelming if consumed in large doses! This is not a book for the faint of heart or easily bored. But if you like beautiful, descriptive writing and in depth characters, then definitely give East of Eden a try!

Anthony

I really didn't know what to expect from this book. It was recommended by quite a few people who I respect. In the end I was absolutely captivated by the story. 

If I am to be honest, I don't think the book is about anything particularly exciting. It's just the life and times of a guy, and how he moves throughout his experiences. It's from an interesting time period, but more than that, it feels so real. The characters really came alive from Steinbeck's words. 

I expected to be bored as I joyously made my way through the early chapters but I just couldn't stop thinking about Adam's world whenever I put the book down. I loved this story very much.

Steinbeck’s Biblical tragedy is perfectly executed through complex and Human characters that are combined with poetic writing that structures a beautiful retelling of a Biblical narrative 

Logan Allen

“Timshel - Thou mayest”

Steinbeck’s Biblical tragedy is perfectly executed through complex and Human characters that are combined with poetic writing that structures a beautiful retelling of a Biblical narrative 

Rafael Garcia

Great writing and character development, but drags on towards the end.

Trish

"And now that you don't have to be perfect you can be good."

This book is one of the masterpieces of literature. A story that will stand the test of time, with vivid, unforgettable characters that will haunt you long after you've closed the book. East of Eden is the story of life. It's a story about brotherhood, jealousy, anger, pain, love, evil, sacrifice, redemption. It's one of those books you want to thrust into the hands of your friends, family, neighbors, peers and shout, "Read this, it's going to change your life!"

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Haylie

I officially adore John Steinbeck now. Such a powerful and amazing story.

Alexandra Sklar

An all time favorite, have read several times. Love the imagery, the detail of the characters, the way he captures the atmosphere of California. This was my first time reading since living on the Central Coast and having more familiarity with the specific geography and history.

Dave | Storyphoria

As I’ve said through this entire Steinbeck journey, these books are a slow, slow grind to finish.

But as slow as it is, East of Eden was truly beautiful. While I know that the final book in my Steinbeck journey will be enjoyable(as I’ve read Of Mice and Men more than once and enjoy it), East of Eden is by far the most infuriating, frustratingly slow, and truly wonderful books I’ve read on this Steinbeck journey.

It’s impactful, thought provoking, jam packed full of all sorts of practical life advice if you pay attention as you read(especially on the creativity and philosophy side of things), and it left me fully understanding of why it’s viewed as Steinbeck’s crowning achievement.

Full review at :
https://aicpod.com/category/blog/

This is one of those books that is simply unforgettable and utterly vivid. The prose sometimes carries you through the rich and many-layered story, and sometimes it lingers on details that so ground you in the world Steinbeck describes it’s hard not to envision every detail. The Salinas Valley feels truly lived in, and the characters with which it is populated, partially inspired by Steinbeck’s family history and partially written as a nod to the Biblical saga of Cain and Abel, are all unique and complex in their characteristics (good and bad) and their impact on the story. The questions Steinbeck poses through the Trask and Hamilton families and their interwoven, ever evolving dynamics are just as staggering answered or unanswered, built upon through the nuanced interactions between individuals over many years. Though the story spans six hundred pages, none of it drags; rather, Steinbeck seems to invite you through each page to savor and consider the depth of the elements he has drawn together into a deeply compelling, moving story.

Alyse Lui

This is one of my favorites, not for the main storyline, but for the side story of Steinbeck's family.

Zhao Ma

Chiyeung lau

A tragic yet beautiful epic. This entire family would have fallen apart without Lee lol.

Irene Alegre

One of the best novels I've read in the last 5 years.

Jonah Stevenson

This book was incredibly well written. The theme of good and evil throughout generations was evident through the stories of Cathy/Kate and Adam/Cal/Sam/Lee. Samuel Hamilton and Lee were my favorite characters by far because of their rich friendship and exquisite dialogue which often focused around the various elements of the biblical themes in the book. "Timshel" or thou mayest was a big part of the book as we see Cal has the ability to overcome the evil he sees inside of him. Bravo, Steinbeck. 
The only part I didn't like was how everyone seemed to not show their 'good' side if they were angry or upset, yet Cathy/Kate was written with the lack of a good side. She did willingly give her money to Aron in her will, but it seemed for selfish reasons and the fact that Aron looked like her. Still, Cathy/Kate was a fascinating character who exemplified the fall of Eve very well.

Rick Dobrowolski

This is a beautiful story of a tarnished family. I was mesmerized by Steinbeck’s descriptions and wisdom throughout the book. Samuel Hamilton and Lee are now two of my favorite characters in all of literature. 

East of Eden is the story of humanity, with all its goods and all its evils. There is no perfection, only the struggle within of good vs evil.

cora rolfes 

i’ve never meant anything more deeply or truly than when i tell you that KATHY. SLAYED. in this book

Cams Campbell

What a cracker of a book! This was my first read on the Kindle and I have to say that it's a very good way to consume a book. Between the Kindle app on the iPhone, Kindle 3G and iPad, it was easy to read small chunks or large chunks as time permitted. 

I recently read Grapes of Wrath and went straight on to East of Eden. Steinbeck is without doubt one of my favourite writers; it's just something about his knack of writing about the human spiritual condition that I can really relate to. 

It's quite a grand tale in terms of the span of time it covers, but in essence it's the tale of two brothers from birth to death. The tale of how the brothers' father comes into his own is handled very well and shows that we can shape our own destiny. 

I don't really know how to put into words the sense of spiritual well being that I get from Steinbeck's novels. He lived in a different time in a different place, but still I can relate to his characters so well. It's the human flaws, the inner monologues and struggles, the spiritual condition, all of those things make it seem so real. It's philosophical, that's what it is. I'm just at the right age for discovering Steinbeck's masterpieces really.

Jaymie Lemke

The plot of this book is good, I am still trying to get through it though. Easy book to put down and not pick up again.

I'm not sure I will ever read as finely crafted as novel this. Every line of this book is quotable. Beautiful.

Vojtech

I'm not sure I will ever read as finely crafted as novel this. Every line of this book is quotable. Beautiful.

Ruined other novels for me for a while.

Vivian

Unfortunately for me East of Eden falls into the category of "widely acclaimed but I don't get it". The novel re-enacts the story of Cain and Abel in two generations of a family in early 1900s California. The main message is about men's free will to choose between good and evil, and Steinbeck was practically hammering that message into the readers from the very first page until the last. But the portrayal of evil and good is just too oversimplified and unconvincing. All the characters feel like two-dimensional paper dolls that are unrealistic as well as unrelatable. And the main evil character Cathy (with so many psychopath plots piled on her) just feels so unnatural and misogynistic. In the middle of the book she was almost beaten to death by a man and the writing somehow made you feel more sympathetic towards the man - which is extremely problematic. I'm also not a fan of the overall simplistic & strong & disorganized writing style, a far cry from elegancy - not sure if it's typical of male writers of that era.

East of Eden

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