A review by iamjudgedredd
East of Eden by John Steinbeck

challenging emotional reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Stunning example of modern American literature. This is a complex, rich, and deep book. I read it aged 35 after my father passed away. This generational family epic is rooted in Steinbeck's theory that there is only one human story, that of Cain & Abel, Good & Evil, Human nature and where it comes from. As such it's emotionally intricate, and rewarding especially the more you re-read it, and the more experiences you have in life. One the surface it's a male-centric book, but I think that the themes (once extracted) are universal in their application. 

An exceptional novel, that takes it's time, and will find you in your life when you are ready to read it.