Reviews with content warning for Suicide - East of Eden

My first thought when finishing this was "huh" followed by "well, at least it's over."

I wanted to DNF this a few times, and while I have little to no hesitation to do so, I did at least want to see how this story ended. I'm not really sure it was worth the trouble, honestly. Maybe next time...

My overall thoughts are mixed on this book. It's my first read of a long work by Steinbeck, and I don't know if that's good or bad. I can confidently say I won't re-read this book later or even buy it to have on my shelf. I might read Steinbeck again in the future, but it will probably be Of Mice and Men or The Pearl again.

The characters were interesting with overall good development, but there were too many characters that I felt nothing toward or could have cared less or seemed to make no real impact on the story.

This story wasn't bad, I just thought there were too many moments that seemed to be in the story but weren't part of the story if that makes sense. I really enjoyed that there was a self-aware narrator who also had their own story here and there (which did, in a way, add world context for what was going on in the lives of the Trask and Hamilton families), but I think I appreciated that more because it felt unique more than anything else.

Content Warnings

maidinnah's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

Steinbeck can make a ranch sound like a heavenly paradise, an everyday man like a legendary hero, a family saga like an epic myth. Illustrious yet grounded, the grandeur, scope, and depth of East of Eden was such a marvel -- a masterpiece if I dare say -- that I didn't want it to end. And yet, when I turned that final page and said goodbye to all the characters I've come to know and love, I left feeling content and hopeful in the resilience of the human spirit in the face of our own shortcomings.

Content Warnings