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 … 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.
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Old but classic. Same stuff/different era
If you’ve never read this classic, do it now! Although it spans time from late 1800 to early 1900, it is eerily relevant! What a beautiful writer Steinbeck is! Reads like a history book with a dude of Dynasty soap opera!
Classic
a classic
Easy to see why Steinbeck is such a celebrated author.
This is a classic!!
I read this book many years ago and just reread it. I enjoyed it even more the second time. It is a classic!
Pure Stenbeck
loved it
Without a doubt one of my all time favorite books EVER! Kathy Ames is the best / worst character in all of literary fiction. Good to read every couple of years. LOVE!
One of, if not THE, best books I’ve read in my long life.
Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down.
Read the story several years ago. This is my favorite Steinbeck book. The characters were real and memorable; the setting as well developed as any character.
Just love this book. Cared so much about the characters… beautifully told story. Perfect storytelling.
It’s been years since I first read this, and I remembered it as preachy and not too relevant to me. I was so very wrong, or, perhaps, too young. After this read, I can’t help but compare the beautiful Steinbeck language to so many of the lightweight novels I enjoy. Believe me…there’s no comparison.
This is Steinbeck at his finest.
I can definitely see why it’s a classic.
Excellent
This is an excellent book. I can’t believe it’s taken me 62 years to read it!
This is a book that shows Steinbeck’s mind at work, exploring the age-old complexities of the closest human relationships. Perhaps that’s the definition of a great book–one that no one else could have written. You will think about this book for the rest of your life.