10.3k reviews for:

East Of Eden

John Steinbeck

4.46 AVERAGE

fourstringspark's review against another edition

4.25

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

coxja2204's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

frankieah's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Timshel

melodyh's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jcatlin's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

rebeckacfc's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Shout out to Samuel Hamilton and Li 

sentimentalbookmark's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

bellanigro's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark reflective

azyet24's review against another edition

5.0

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A Soul-Shaking Epic That’s Beyond Perfect

John Steinbeck’s East of Eden is a 6-star stunner—one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s emotional, raw, and huge, with families fighting through rejection, sadness, and big-time struggles that hit you hard. The characters feel so real—like people you know—and I connected with every single one. Lee’s the standout; he’s quiet and wise until he explodes with heart at the end, tying it all together. The story’s got redemption and hope that’ll make you cry, and Steinbeck’s writing just grabs you. It’s deep, it’s messy, and it’s amazing—way more than a 5/5.

jesseemariee's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Part 1 is slow but the book quickly picks up after the groundwork is laid.  The Biblical connections to Genesis are thematically and narratively strong and make the story feel inevitable and very human. The story will leave you with a lot to think about.