Reviews tagging 'Grief'

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

16 reviews

jakobmarleymommy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts

mmccombs's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

This book is just breath taking from the very first page. I first read this book when I was like 16 and it quickly became one of my favorites. I decided to reread this with a friend, now 10 years after I originally read it, and found even more depth and more to love. I remember being wowed by the characters in this story, but this time around I was blown away by the simple yet striking descriptions of setting and characters. Every person and place felt real in a way I can’t say I’ve felt about any other book I’ve felt recently. Their psychology and motivations and actions were clearly linked, and the way each character interacted with another led to even deeper mediations on what it means to be human. I will say I was like “alright, I don’t think I need to learn more about this random Hamilton family member” and wished we spent more time with Cathy/Kate near the end. And also, very much jarred by racial slurs and stereotypes (esp about Natice American women), a good warning going into this if you’re thinking of starting it. On the whole though, Steinbeck has a way of painting something so subtly that you can’t tell he’s doing something stunning until you step back and see the entire picture. A timeless classic that I think I will continue to reread, getting something new out of it as I get older. Thou mayest!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Racial slurs

Moderate: Death and Violence

tdap1899's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book destroyed my mind, but in the best way possible. Its lessons are lovely and continue to still be applicable to the modern day. One of the biggest surprises about this book was just how modern it felt. When Steinbeck said this was his magnum opus he was not joking. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Alcohol, Racial slurs, Suicide, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, and War

Minor: Gun violence, Pregnancy, Abortion, Terminal illness, and Fire/Fire injury

bell5a_xox's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

lily1304's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Classics are hit or miss for me, but this one really exceeded my expectations. It's VERY long, but the characters are fascinating and I'm a sucker for a good Biblical allegory.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Abandonment, Abortion, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcohol

pricklypear's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Abortion, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, and Racial slurs