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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: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Abandonment, Genocide, Xenophobia, Murder, Violence, War, Grief, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
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: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Rape, Suicide attempt, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
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: Abortion and Animal death
Moderate: Hate crime, Medical content, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Classism, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual content, War, and Xenophobia
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: Sexual content, Death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Racism, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Violence, and War
Minor: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
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: Suicide, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Murder, and War
Minor: Xenophobia
chouchou's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Torture
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
daisydoolie's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, Death of parent, Bullying, and Alcohol
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