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Emily May's Reviews > East of Eden
East of Eden
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Such an amazing book. An instant all time favourite.
I'm sure you've heard of this book. Often touted as one of the "greatest novels of all time" or "books you must read before you die". For some reason, I've been putting it off. Maybe because I was made to study Of Mice and Men to death in school, or maybe because I thought The Grapes of Wrath was a little overrated. But I've been missing out.
A closer look should have told me that. Because I love family sagas. Epic, multi-generational tales filled with rich characterization and plenty of drama. The House of the Spirits is a great example. These books really pull me into the characters' lives. I get a sense that I've grown up with them, gone through each hardship with them, and come out the other side. They always leave me feeling emotional.
East of Eden is a great book from every angle.
The characters come bounding off the pages, offering a sort of Cain and Abel retelling set before, during, and after the great westward migration of early modern America (it's no coincidence that the Trask brothers are called Charles and Adam).
Steinbeck could not have more vividly painted the Salinas Valley in our minds if he had literally dragged us there in person. It's a beautiful, dusty, challenging place to be and into it comes the story of the Trasks and the Hamiltons. I cannot stress enough how well-drawn these characters are as we move with them through poverty, war, wealth, murder, love and lies.
It's rare that a book is both a thoughtful historical tale with strong themes, and a fast-paced, highly-readable romp through the lives of people who are smart, naive, calculating, lovable, mean, selfish and confused. It's surprising how often the terms "easily readable" and "masterpiece" are mutually exclusive - but that is not the case here. I couldn't put it down.
I just... don't even know how to fully summarize my thoughts and feelings. East of Eden is clever, it's "deep", but it's also so damn enjoyable. I loved all the relationships and conflicts between the characters. And I especially loved Cathy - the kind of twisted female character I'd expect Gillian Flynn to create.
If you're looking for an intelligent classic - read it. If you're looking for an exciting pageturner - read it.
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by
“All great and precious things are lonely.”
Such an amazing book. An instant all time favourite.
I'm sure you've heard of this book. Often touted as one of the "greatest novels of all time" or "books you must read before you die". For some reason, I've been putting it off. Maybe because I was made to study Of Mice and Men to death in school, or maybe because I thought The Grapes of Wrath was a little overrated. But I've been missing out.
A closer look should have told me that. Because I love family sagas. Epic, multi-generational tales filled with rich characterization and plenty of drama. The House of the Spirits is a great example. These books really pull me into the characters' lives. I get a sense that I've grown up with them, gone through each hardship with them, and come out the other side. They always leave me feeling emotional.
East of Eden is a great book from every angle.
The characters come bounding off the pages, offering a sort of Cain and Abel retelling set before, during, and after the great westward migration of early modern America (it's no coincidence that the Trask brothers are called Charles and Adam).
Steinbeck could not have more vividly painted the Salinas Valley in our minds if he had literally dragged us there in person. It's a beautiful, dusty, challenging place to be and into it comes the story of the Trasks and the Hamiltons. I cannot stress enough how well-drawn these characters are as we move with them through poverty, war, wealth, murder, love and lies.
“But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’— that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. For if ‘Thou mayest’—it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.”
It's rare that a book is both a thoughtful historical tale with strong themes, and a fast-paced, highly-readable romp through the lives of people who are smart, naive, calculating, lovable, mean, selfish and confused. It's surprising how often the terms "easily readable" and "masterpiece" are mutually exclusive - but that is not the case here. I couldn't put it down.
I just... don't even know how to fully summarize my thoughts and feelings. East of Eden is clever, it's "deep", but it's also so damn enjoyable. I loved all the relationships and conflicts between the characters. And I especially loved Cathy - the kind of twisted female character I'd expect Gillian Flynn to create.
If you're looking for an intelligent classic - read it. If you're looking for an exciting pageturner - read it.
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Reading Progress
August 21, 2012
– Shelved
July 22, 2016
–
Started Reading
July 25, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 66 (66 new)
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Julia
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Jul 23, 2016 01:06AM
I heard it's best he's written..I so hope you like it.
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I'm inclined to agree :)
Great review of a great book, but my money's still on Grapes :)
Thank for this great review of a classic, Em! My favorite classic is The Count of Monte Cristo (I know you like it, too) but it would be hard to think of my favorite American classic. I think Moby Dick, but I haven't read many of them for so long. Your reading this inspires me to go back and revisit them. Thank you again. :D
Heard about this earlier this week and immediately had to put it on tbr. I have to ask though is there any preachy sort of element to it? Especially like, reliquary preaching?
Amazing review, Emily. I'm a little hesitant about reading classics because they often have a slow pacing. I'm happy to read that this is not the case with this book. I love family's sagas too, so I think I'll give this book a try as soon as possible.
Very intriguing review which makes me want to start reading the book as soon as possible, Emily. Fortunately for me it's already waiting for me on my shelves at home. :)Have you watched the 1955 movie adaption with James Dean? Recommendations for that one seem to come from everywhere.
TheSirensLibrary wrote: "Heard about this earlier this week and immediately had to put it on tbr. I have to ask though is there any preachy sort of element to it? Especially like, reliquary preaching?"I don't think so. I always get the impression that Steinbeck is pretty agnostic.
Zaira wrote: "Amazing review, Emily. I'm a little hesitant about reading classics because they often have a slow pacing. I'm happy to read that this is not the case with this book. I love family's sagas too, so ..."Thank you. I know what you mean. I love classics, but I sometimes feel like I have to "build myself up to them" because they tend to be challenging reads. But the pages just flew by here.
Steinbeck is one if my all-time favorite American authors. Yes, they beat "Of Mice and Men" to death in the schools. This one gets largely ignored I think, due to it's size and scope. It is indeed an amazing novel.
I loved this book, it had so many great relegation and discussions on human nature. Plus gems like:"It would be absurd if we did not understand both angels and devils, since we invented them."
Great review Em! I have to agree on "Of Mice and Men" and "The Grapes of Wrath". I read A LOT of books in my English studies and enjoyed most of them, but those two, along with "The Return of the Native", were way overrated to me and I never did end up enjoying them. I'll definitely be checking this one out though.
I just read this too. I can't believe it took me 40 years to read it. What a gem. Some of the conversations are priceless. 5 stars.
Wow, I have been avoiding this as well, but hey, local history (for me at least). Thanks for taking the plunge.
I follow your reviews because you can be so eloquently brutal when you don't like a book. I have no interest in YA and I think this is the first time you've reviewed a book I actually want to read. It's almost a shame you enjoyed it :)
So funny that you should read this now! I literally looked at this on my shelf just the other day and thought...might be a good time to give that a chance. All I could think of was the standard Of Mice and Men and how it hadn't wowed me. I'll pick this up off my shelf asap!
Nice review Emily! It's been on my shelf for ages. Review makes me want start reading it immediately. I loved Grapes of Wrath, though I found the ending really bizarre. So I still have mixed feelings about it.
Is it kind of "heavy" read? I'm looking for something to read on the train though..
I loved Of Mice and Men. Perhaps, I'll have to give this one a go!
I was kinda stunned by this book. I didn't know WHAT to expect, but I love Steinbeck, and I loved reading this book.
OK, this one goes on the TBR list!
This is my all time favorite book! Steinbeck is an amazing writer. If you like the family dynamic, then you would probably like his other novel The Grapes of Wrath
cathy is a horrible woman indeed.I adore this book omg.
Great review. I read the book 4 years ago. It is steinbeck's masterpiece, though I liked grapes of wrath the same.
One of my favorites! So glad you liked it.
If you like family sagas, I'm wondering if you've ever read Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates, an author who sometimes, I think, writes too much, but when she's at her best, she's really wonderful. You may want to take a look at it, if you haven't already.
If you like multi-generational family sagas, you need to read Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi! It follows a family for 300 years or so as one half of the family remains in Ghana during the height of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the other half is sold into slavery to the US. It came out this year to critical acclaim. I'd love to see your review of it!
Fitz wrote: "If you like family sagas, I'm wondering if you've ever read Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates, an author who sometimes, I think, writes too much, but when she's at her best, she's really wonderful. Y..."Thanks for the recommendation! I have yet to read any of her work but I've been meaning to for years :)
Jonathan wrote: "If you like multi-generational family sagas, you need to read Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi! It follows a family for 300 years or so as one half of the family remains in Ghana during the height of the Tra..."That's good because it's on my TBR :) Planning to read it very soon!
If you liked this book I think you will like Of Human Bondage by Maugham :)
I hope I can get to it someday... I picked up years ago and I couldn't keep up with it... But it is a classic so I thinkk it must be read!
I purchased this novel thinking I'd read the next day. I read about 2 pages; and 5 months later still want to read it. Gaaaah its one of those books that everyone wants to read but can't pick up. Unless it hits you in the face, I guess. Hope to read by end of year *fingers crossed*
Definite classic and has been on my favorites list for a long time now. Since we're making recommendations based on multi-gen epic family sagas, I was wondering if you've read Susan Howatch's work? Both Cashelmara and Penmerric are riveting in the can't-put-down-omg-these-characters kinda way... ;)
I finished it within 2 nights. Tells a lot about humanity. It's like history repated again when read about adam and Charles and then about aron and caleb. Both would have have had similar endings...but there is always a chice to make. a choice that can change everything we are made of and what we believe. i pity kat. she is one of my favorite character in this book. ofcourse we shouldn't forget Sam amd Lee. love em
Timshel
If this book was a child, it would be the playground bully... feels like Steinbeck is overcompensating and a little high on self-importance. It was interesting but the dialogue alone disqualifies it as being a "classic" in my mind.
Check out the book I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb.. EOE affects me more, but IKTMIT will change your world too!!
Great review, i can only absolutely agree with your opinion :)
can you read it without knowing the story of cain and abel?
Yes Annesofie. I don't know the story of Cain and Abel and still enjoyed.
Stay with it thru the firt couple of chapters. Dry, then......... great!
I totally agree! Especially about how emotional this book would leave the reader. It's perfection on every level.
I love both East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath but you just committed utter blasphemy by writing this statement " because I thought The Grapes of Wrath was a little overrated." down. :P The Grapes of Wrath is one of the top 10 literary masterpieces ever, IMHO.
how could cathy b yore favorite??
The story of Cain and Abel is less than a page... Genesis 4. Everyone should read Genesis 1-4, it explains a lot about human nature.
Good point seth but does not answer my point - she is the personifation of evil.
Seth wrote: "The story of Cain and Abel is less than a page... Genesis 4. Everyone should read Genesis 1-4, it explains a lot about human nature."One of my favourite things is learning about the mythology behind it. How it's based on Ancient Sumerian myths and Yahweh is a stand-in for Inanna, among others.
alvin yanofsky wrote: "Good point seth but does not answer my point - she is the personifation of evil."I just think complex characters are interesting.
