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jlk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Physical abuse, Gun violence, and Racial slurs
brittsbooknook's review against another edition
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity
zworlund's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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.
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
que8lin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault and Physical abuse
griffinsaurus's review against another edition
- 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
the book feels very Christian, so i did not think i was going to resonate so much with the book. however, despite it being written over 70 years ago, i felt that the emotions, thoughts and themes touched on were timeless. as the book drifts from family to family, from person to person, i felt an odd sense of connection with all the characters in the book. i especially empathised with Cal Trask.
east of eden is a story about the people in salinas valley, and how unexpectedly inter-connected their lives are. with so many characters, i expected to feel overwhelmed by everyone yet i found myself flipping through each page, eager to read each one of their stories. each story held a sense of hopelessness that just seemed to build on as the book progressed. it definitely climaxed near the end, and i felt as if i was in salinas valley myself. east of eden is a book about failure, disappointments, real fear, evil, and love where you least expect it.
there's so much to say about this book yet i have no words. i'm forever grateful that i picked up this book.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide, and Racial slurs
i think it is good to note that this book was a product of its generation. as such, the language and descriptions used were, i felt, 'fitting' for a book published in the 1950s.kassidypf13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Minor: Self harm, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Abortion, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, Miscarriage, and Physical abuse
edgario's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Great quotes, slow start, classic,nadia_ali's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
bell5a_xox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abortion, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Toxic relationship