East of Eden - John Steinbeck

East of Eden

By John Steinbeck

  • Release Date: 2002-02-05
  • Genre: Classics
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,513 Ratings

Description

A masterpiece of Biblical scope, and the magnum opus of one of America’s most enduring authors, in a commemorative hardcover edition
 
In his journal, Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck called East of Eden "the first book," and indeed it has the primordial power and simplicity of myth. Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.

The masterpiece of Steinbeck’s later years, East of Eden is a work in which Steinbeck created his most mesmerizing characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity, the inexplicability of love, and the murderous consequences of love's absence. Adapted for the 1955 film directed by Elia Kazan introducing James Dean, and read by thousands as the book that brought Oprah’s Book Club back, East of Eden has remained vitally present in American culture for over half a century.

Reviews

  • The pure present.

    5
    By nayla_dalil
    John Steinbeck’s surgical decomposition of the first few crucial lines of Genesis hence adapted, transformed and recreated in a compelling narrative adheres strongly to our never-ending present, mirroring exactly our own follies, virtues, flaws and confessions in every character, from Samuel Hamilton's raw pure nature to Cathy's ruthless methods of self-preservation. The dual emerging nature and warfare of twins, Eastern moral understanding through Lee and the constant death and rebirth of Adam makes this work of literature transcend the confines of our primitive understanding of Good and Evil and endure whatever cycle of humanity repeats itself.
  • A must read!

    5
    By tyler_hernandez98
    I’m trying to read every book on Jordan Peterson’s book list and I’m so glad I was directed to this book! What an amazing read and I will recommend it to everyone!
  • Gold

    5
    By VonBuckmaster
    Gets better every time I read it
  • Amazing

    5
    By josh123cv
    .
  • So powerful

    5
    By stgoldb99
    Excellent book.
  • Meh

    3
    By Fangsout
    A lot of character development just to fizzle out in the end.
  • Incredible

    5
    By MamaBell2
    East of Eden is my favorite book. The themes of good and evil and free will were so beautifully explored. I fell in love with the characters, the plot, the descriptions of the landscape, and the masterful storytelling.
  • Epic novel

    5
    By DanJazzPiano
    This is a masterpiece of a book, epic in its scope of characters, times and story. It mirrors the story of Cain and Abel lightly, but enough to help us see this is the story of all of us.
  • Loved it!

    5
    By MJW6506
    It’s not often for me when classic literature crosses with easy read, but this was it for me. Beautiful story.
  • My favorite.

    5
    By Ozcrome
    It may become one of your favorites.

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