Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - East of Eden

East of Eden
East of Eden
Author: John Steinbeck
The Trasks and the Hamiltons. Their stormy lives were woven into the fabric of rural America from Connecticut to California--a rich tapestry of relentless passions, tragic weaknesses and soaring human courage. "John Steinbeck's Masterpiece."--Saturday Review
ISBN-13: 9780553116083
ISBN-10: 0553116088
Publication Date: 1977
Pages: 691
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 5

4.1 stars, based on 5 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

rubuhroom avatar reviewed East of Eden on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I grew up knowing about John Steinbeck and his book The Grapes of Wrath as I am a daughter of an Okie (my father) and was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, just south of the Salinas Valley where East of Eden takes place. The movie, The Grapes of Wrath was filmed near Bakersfield where I lived for 30 years so that bit of trivia was always coming up in the media or newspapers. So I keep asking myself why did I never read Steinbeck? I loved the movies that were made and I've always known that any book you read is much better than the movie. East of Eden is one of the rare books I give a 5-star rating to. The story, being historical and dating back to the late 1800's, could have taken place in 2009. If references to mode of transportation, communication, and architecture were missing from the book the charachters could be your next door neighbor today. This book was wonderful with so many unique characters and the Cain and Abel aspect, and gives you pause to examine your own angels and demons. It's a big book but I read it in just a few days because I did not want to put it down. Off to another Steinbeck!
scrapbooklady avatar reviewed East of Eden on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I read "East of Eden" over 30 years ago, and loved it. Now that I'm retired and have more time, I reread it and was not disappointed. What an epic, probably the best Steinbeck of them all. This book has many layers to it, so I think it is readable at all ages. While, I enjoyed it at 25, it was even better now!!
reviewed East of Eden on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Long, long, ultra long! You can't deny the artistry of the writing, but this family was just too dysfunctional and cruel. Difficult to read.
laurieindra avatar reviewed East of Eden on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Simply the best book I've ever read. A big family saga, but so much more. Philosophy, religion, the American dream and so much more about small town life in 20th century California. All wrapped up in a retelling of the story of Adam and Eve. Plus just beautiful writing. I've read it at least three times and will read it again.
reviewed East of Eden on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Read like it could have been written today - timeless and fantastic!
Read All 66 Book Reviews of "East of Eden"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed East of Eden on + 49 more book reviews
I really liked this book. It spans a few generations of two families and is a page-turner. Very nice family story. Although a novel, it is mainly set in the author's birthplace/hometown. He is a character in the novel as a child but is the adult narrating the story in his own voice. This book is also a movie.
robreads avatar reviewed East of Eden on
The best of the Steinbeck novels in my opinion. A beautiful saga about the life of two brothers, so different yet so connected. The writing is rich, complex, and captivating. A true literary classic in every sense.
thecuriousmouse avatar reviewed East of Eden on
This was a great book overall. John Steinbeck has a wonderful ability to describe things; makes you feel you are there seeing things with your own eyes. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and was saddened when they were not part of the story anymore (they went away or they died). There are some parts (just a few small ones) that dragged for me, as I am not a fan of war descriptions and this book has some of that toward the end. But overall, a great book. It's one of those books you wish didn't end.
Bibliocrates avatar reviewed East of Eden on + 252 more book reviews
I loved East of Eden, a great epic family drama.
shukween avatar reviewed East of Eden on + 118 more book reviews
I picked this book up with some trepidation, as his earlier works--Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath--are not among my favorites. I was hugely and pleasantly surprised. This book spans the story of several generations of two families and explores broad and unfathomable themes--ultimate evil, sibling rivalry at extreme levels---and climaxes by having asked the unanswerable question of whether man indeed has a choice as to his nature. Truly a work of great literature with staying power, this is a powerful and engrossing read.
reviewed East of Eden on + 2 more book reviews
LOVED IT!
reviewed East of Eden on + 32 more book reviews
one of my alltime favorite novels
reviewed East of Eden on + 3 more book reviews
book was good if a little long and in parts simplistic
reviewed East of Eden on
anything by John Steinbeck is good!
reviewed East of Eden on + 17 more book reviews
An epic novel set in the Salinas Valley of California written in 1952,
which traces the sometimes-intertwined lives of the Trask family and the Hamilton families. The Hamilton side was based on Steinbeck's family. The Trask side is an allegory based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve and their sons. Adam Trask's two sons, Cal and Aaron are loosely reminiscent of Cain and Abel.

The character study is stellar. Individuals struggle with good and evil within themselves and most grow as a result. "I have wondered why it is that some people are less affected and torn by the verities of life and death than other's." The intricacies of the relationships and the mesmirizing affect of one person on the other is masterful.

No wonder Steinbeck considered this his masterpiece.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
reviewed East of Eden on
This book is a wonderful epic of an American family, with secrets and turmoil and values. Worth the read, especially if can relate to the family.

Book Wiki

Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Genres: