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rochelleisreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Abortion, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, and War
vickymcckey's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don’t fully know what I was expecting when I picked up this book, and to be honest I don’t know how to feel now that it’s over. This is the kind of story where a hundred people could read it and take away a hundred different interpretations and lessons. Steinbeck really explores the essence of being a person in so many different ways, from what is “good” or “evil” to how love and affection can change them. Lee is the best character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia and Fire/Fire injury
nolemdaer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This novel is beautiful (as Lee would put it, maybe “a dreadful kind of beauty”) and only increased my respect for Steinbeck as an author, but it also sent me into a stewing slump about ingrained narratives of misogyny and lowkey might have put me down for the several days I was reading it, so take from that what you will. I’d say its power is undeniable, although, of course, this doesn’t mean it’s perfect or even a favorite. The writing is compelling and penetrating and often gorgeously wrought, and the discussion of theme and central messaging becomes epic in scope and truly moving. The climax of Part Two where Adam names his boys was my favorite scene and absolutely incredible because it did just that: presented and discussed the themes of cyclical fate, choice, and goodness and sin via interesting characters (ie. mostly Lee) with real emotional stakes and, of course, beautiful writing.
When writing a multigenerational Biblical allusion epic, individual characterization has to be streamlined somewhat, and there’s certainly plenty of straightforward narrated information about what characters are like and what their motivations are. It made me wonder about the tell-not-show axiom, and I still can’t figure out why the “telling” in books of this quality (although accompanied by plenty of action and dialogue on behalf of the characters to demonstrate their behaviors and motivations) don’t come across as contrived. I guess it’s not necessarily telling if we’re informed of a character’s interiority, but I haven’t worked through my thoughts on where the lines are drawn. Either way, I found many of the main characters interesting enough, although personally Cal was the most compelling and his lessons the central ones of the narrative. Cathy and Adam were near-caricatures (and lowkey came off as clumsy); Samuel was fantastic and saved from being Dumbledore by his well-written quirks and genuine heart; the minor characters moving in and out the story were sometimes engaging and usually fleshed out. Lee was outstanding — and I find it very funny that Steinbeck managed to do diaspora lit before it was cool — and while his character leaned a little far into magical Asian, he was grounded into the story with his own motivations and dreams enough not to make him just a trope.
Almost every chapter, even when sliding off into tangents about the Hamilton clan or returning to Cathy or discussing war, was undergirded by Steinbeck’s writing and managed to be — even if the derailment was a little frustrating — usually poignant. The only chapters I disliked were those focused on random men (sheriffs or war boards or businessmen), but even those had their place in the narrative and in creating a full world of people wherein the main characters were situated.
Where the grand messaging of the book ultimately fails for me is that men’s treatment of women comes across as incidental to their morality. My central takeaway was the fact of good and sin existing in every person (or in this story, every man) and the power of choice and rejecting outside determination of which sides you can follow. However, we’re shown quite a lot of bad in quite a lot of men (usually toward women) and not a lot of good — although Steinbeck frequently tries to point out that there is good in men, usually as an indictment of Cathy, who apparently “only sees the bad.” In this vein, Steinbeck provides countless very grim examples of men’s cruelty and weakness (the tarred and feathered Pole; Lee’s mother; Mr. Edwards) and doesn't present us with examples of human kindness and strength that go beyond common decency, especially not on the part of any man. I don’t know what good Cathy is supposed to see men or women nor why her actions are supposed to be crueler and worse than, say, those of Mr. Edwards. I don't think a personal thematic disagreement is by itself a complete comment on a story’s quality, but while the story reached epic heights of moving philosophy, its foundational outlook wasn't successful for me, at least when it was communicated through interaction with Cathy’s character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Suicide
drpeeper's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
jkamler's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
zworlund's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
clemrain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A story paced with characters, and yet none of them are neglected. The careful, slow developments of plot beside characters is rewarding from part to part. I felt like I was listening to a family member trace back a fascinating part of the family history. Or just town gossip told by a stranger.
The first three parts of the story were strong and I was eager to continue reading them. The fourth part is slow and, in my opinion, didn’t pay off well at a first glance. It’s because I just wanted to know the ending, and as it approached it just wasn’t what I wanted. However, I think in this book, that’s sort of the point.
The one major flaw of the story is Cathy’s suicide. Just doesn’t line up with her character. She had too much ambition and plan. I’m not sure why the pressures and her son’s outburst could’ve led her to that.
The depth of the novel is fun to sit on and think about. I don’t see a strong agenda in the writing. Just a few different perspectives. At the end of the day, no matter what we believe we’re all just gonna die. Good point.
Maybe some takes in this books might be sour to some. Like comparing the church to brothels. But nothing felt too outrageous to me.
I’m not sure why every female character had to have her chest detailed so much. Nevertheless, those female characters are strong and complicated. And I enjoyed their writing. None of the female characters were too alike which sometimes is a huge problem in classics.
The biblical analogies are really strong. And I enjoyed the conversations characters had regarding them.
Overall, a long read but an accessible one.
The first three parts of the story were strong and I was eager to continue reading them. The fourth part is slow and, in my opinion, didn’t pay off well at a first glance. It’s because I just wanted to know the ending, and as it approached it just wasn’t what I wanted. However, I think in this book, that’s sort of the point.
The one major flaw of the story is
The depth of the novel is fun to sit on and think about. I don’t see a strong agenda in the writing. Just a few different perspectives. At the end of the day, no matter what we believe we’re all just gonna die. Good point.
Maybe some takes in this books might be sour to some. Like comparing the church to brothels. But nothing felt too outrageous to me.
I’m not sure why every female character had to have her chest detailed so much. Nevertheless, those female characters are strong and complicated. And I enjoyed their writing. None of the female characters were too alike which sometimes is a huge problem in classics.
The biblical analogies are really strong. And I enjoyed the conversations characters had regarding them.
Overall, a long read but an accessible one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Abortion
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
manatad's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Like most American teenagers, I was required to read a few of John Steinbeck's novels when I was in school. I couldn't stand them at the time because all I wanted to read was science fiction and fantasy.
Years later, something made me want to try Steinbeck again, and I'm very pleased that I made the decision to start with what I'd always heard is his best work, East of Eden.
For a story about seemingly simple types of people, it has such great scope. It describes the battle between good and evil that takes place within every human soul from the perspectives of the most average of men. It shows me, as a reader, how I may never be able to change the world, but my actions are capable of profound effect on the people around me. It shows me that I wield the power of choice and self determination.
I have learned to love Steinbeck's prose. I find his writing to be plain and accessible while still being thoughtful and moving. I even love his long descriptions of the Salinas Valley, whose ever-changing nature makes it feel like a character of its own within the novel. I especially love the narrator chapters, which feel to me like some of the richest sections in the book despite often being the shortest.
Something about the narrator's tone is so welcoming and warm despite the many grim and sorrowful events that take place within the story. I never felt very sad when I was reading this book. In fact, I found it exceptionally relaxing to read. That may be my favorite thing about this book: how comfortable it feels.
I also feel the need to mention that I have never related to or loved an Asian American character in any story as much as Lee.
I wish I could recommend East of Eden to more people in my life, but I feel like many would be put off by its length and its slow-paced, rambling style. I, however, could easily see myself picking up this book again five or ten years from now just to see what new things I could gain from it. I can see why many others have described it as life-changing.
"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."
Years later, something made me want to try Steinbeck again, and I'm very pleased that I made the decision to start with what I'd always heard is his best work, East of Eden.
For a story about seemingly simple types of people, it has such great scope. It describes the battle between good and evil that takes place within every human soul from the perspectives of the most average of men. It shows me, as a reader, how I may never be able to change the world, but my actions are capable of profound effect on the people around me. It shows me that I wield the power of choice and self determination.
I have learned to love Steinbeck's prose. I find his writing to be plain and accessible while still being thoughtful and moving. I even love his long descriptions of the Salinas Valley, whose ever-changing nature makes it feel like a character of its own within the novel. I especially love the narrator chapters, which feel to me like some of the richest sections in the book despite often being the shortest.
Something about the narrator's tone is so welcoming and warm despite the many grim and sorrowful events that take place within the story. I never felt very sad when I was reading this book. In fact, I found it exceptionally relaxing to read. That may be my favorite thing about this book: how comfortable it feels.
I also feel the need to mention that I have never related to or loved an Asian American character in any story as much as Lee.
I wish I could recommend East of Eden to more people in my life, but I feel like many would be put off by its length and its slow-paced, rambling style. I, however, could easily see myself picking up this book again five or ten years from now just to see what new things I could gain from it. I can see why many others have described it as life-changing.
"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racial slurs
i_llumi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shoutout to uncarley and emma chamberlain for making me read this masterpiece.
east of eden. what a fucking book, friends
once I finished reading the last line, my hands went to my face as I stared in shock at the back cover of the book. timshel. thou mayest.
if you are somehow reading this, all I can say is: please pick up this book. it is one of the most engaging, breathtaking, thought-provoking, and human stories I have ever read. the characters begin to feel like family and you'll constantly be asking that there were more than 600 pages to spend with them. I feel like a part of my heart will forever live in the Salinas valley, looking at the willow tree and smelling Lee's ng-ka-py from the Trask ranch. books like this make reading magic to me.
some notes to self (please skip these please)
- lee. I love lee. i could read about his thoughts forever and could talk about how good of a character he is for longer. i hope him and sam hamilton are both laughing and talking about fucking meditations by marcus aurelius in heaven now. bless him. he was the true mvp of the trask household and arguably of the entire plot
- cathy/kate. she is genuinely a scary character and just SO well written it's insane. shes literally the of gaslight gatekeep girlboss and honestly, for that alone steinback deserves all the praise he gets
- CALEB TRASK. CAL. I WANT TO HUG HIM SO BAD. i want to tell him that everything is okay and that i love him god i want to hug him. i wish him nothing but hapiness
- I wanted to visit dessie's sewing place so much... it seemed like so much fun... just imagine all the jokes and funny amazing women ..... oh god..
- charles!!! an underdog who honestly deserved better :/ him and cal would get along so well,, just imagine the uncle nephew bonding,,
- anyways. I am utterly, undeniably in love with this book and i shall forever keep thinking about it
east of eden. what a fucking book, friends
once I finished reading the last line, my hands went to my face as I stared in shock at the back cover of the book. timshel. thou mayest.
if you are somehow reading this, all I can say is: please pick up this book. it is one of the most engaging, breathtaking, thought-provoking, and human stories I have ever read. the characters begin to feel like family and you'll constantly be asking that there were more than 600 pages to spend with them. I feel like a part of my heart will forever live in the Salinas valley, looking at the willow tree and smelling Lee's ng-ka-py from the Trask ranch. books like this make reading magic to me.
some notes to self (please skip these please)
- lee. I love lee. i could read about his thoughts forever and could talk about how good of a character he is for longer. i hope him and sam hamilton are both laughing and talking about fucking meditations by marcus aurelius in heaven now. bless him. he was the true mvp of the trask household and arguably of the entire plot
- cathy/kate. she is genuinely a scary character and just SO well written it's insane. shes literally the of gaslight gatekeep girlboss and honestly, for that alone steinback deserves all the praise he gets
- CALEB TRASK. CAL. I WANT TO HUG HIM SO BAD. i want to tell him that everything is okay and that i love him god i want to hug him. i wish him nothing but hapiness
- I wanted to visit dessie's sewing place so much... it seemed like so much fun... just imagine all the jokes and funny amazing women ..... oh god..
- charles!!! an underdog who honestly deserved better :/ him and cal would get along so well,, just imagine the uncle nephew bonding,,
- anyways. I am utterly, undeniably in love with this book and i shall forever keep thinking about it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
pigeonpersona's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is an amazing book, and I'm so glad I read it. This saga of families, couples, siblings, and the town of Salinas is an extremely well thought out journey. It felt so real, and deals with emotions that are universal. It's relatable now, nearly 70 years after its original publishing, and I'm sure it will remain relatable for audiences in years to come. When people call this Steinbeck's magnum opus, I'm tempted to agree.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Xenophobia