East of Eden

by John Steinbeck

mass market paperback, 691 pages

English language

Published Nov. 19, 1981 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-005829-1

(6 reviews)

Steinbeck considered East of Eden to be his masterpiece. In his journal, Journal of a Novel (often read as a companion to the novel) he notes that “this is the book I have always wanted and have worked and prayed to be able to write Set primarily in the Salinas Valley in the early twentieth century, the novel traces three generations of two families – the Trasks and the Hamiltons – as they grapple with the ever-present forces of good and evil. From this plot emerged some of Steinbeck’s most fascinating characters – many of whom are modeled after people in his own life.

Part allegory, part autobiography, and part epic, East of Eden was an ambitious project from the start – a gift to Steinbeck’s sons that was meant to teach them about identity, grief, and what it means to be human. Tinged with biblical echoes of the fall of Adam and Eve and the rivalry of Cain and Abel, this sprawling saga has captivated audiences everywhere for generations. It is through the popularization of East of Eden that the Salinas Valley was truly transformed into “the valley of the world”; a place where everyone is able to find a piece of themselves in the golden, rolling hills. ([source][1])

Contains:

[East of Eden 1/2][2]
[East of Eden 2/2][3]

Also contained in:

[East of Eden / The Wayward Bus][4]
[The Grapes of Wrath / The Moon is Down / Cannery Row / East of Eden / Of Mice and Men][5]
Novels 1942-1952
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: Spring 1953 Selections

[1]: www.steinbeck.org/about-john/his-works/ [2]: openlibrary.org/works/OL17811975W/East_of_Eden_1_2 [3]: openlibrary.org/works/OL18023025W/East_of_Eden_2_2 [4]: openlibrary.org/works/OL15138391W/East_of_Eden_The_Wayward_Bus [5]: openlibrary.org/works/OL23165W/The_Grapes_of_Wrath_The_Moon_is_Down_Cannery_Row_East_of_Eden_Of_Mice_and_Men

45 editions

crabbygirl reviewed East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Review of 'East of Eden' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

my first steinbeck; he's quite readable. i wonder if he's the origin of the sweeping, epic novel that spans generations?

using the cain and abel story, and applying it to 2 different sets of brothers, steinbeck seems to reach a different conclusion each time. in between the 2 sets of conflicts, the characters actually talk about the significance of the cain and abel story and decide the story is not about cain's evil past and subsequent 'mark', but that cain may actually be favoured through his ability to choose his recourse - and this is how the cain (caleb) of the second set of brothers acts: starting as mean, he recognizes his own weakness where his brother and father are concerned and tries to become a better man. yes, he stumbles and ultimately causes his brother's death, but his intentions are mostly for the good and he feels genuine remorse for his actions.

i think the author means to tell us we are all decended from cain's blood but that we each can make a choice in life, and not be victim of whatever bloodline we have.

although this novel has many christian allegories in it, i think steinbeck is more of a secular humanist. especially with his character of lee: intelligent, well-read, non christian, foreign and posibly gay.