Scan barcode
emilymean's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
deeply moving. contrary to what a lot of reviews (especially at its time of release) seem to say, I found this to be a very nuanced character study with a complex approach to moral philosophy. belongs in the canon of great american novels
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Abortion, Grief, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Infidelity, Chronic illness, Medical content, Racism, Child abuse, and Racial slurs
gellisjoyce's review against another edition
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion
goomster's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Suicide, Rape, and Racial slurs
lief_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, War, Racial slurs, Death, Murder, Abortion, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Infidelity
readasaurus_rex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Devastatingly beautiful and honest. A brilliant exploration of the story of good and evil, Cain and Abel. Heartbreaking and deeply moving by turns. Steinbeck’s observations of humanity are so deadly accurate and familiar. I am blown away by this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Abortion, Suicide, and War
bookerbride's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Abortion, Suicide, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: War and Alcohol
junglejelly's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.25
Wanting a challenge and a classic, I picked up Steinbeck's East of Eden and got both.
The writing style is so easy to read and follow which helps with the slow pace of the novel.
The characters are the best part of the novel, I became very emotionally invested in them whether it was happiness or anger. These sets of families will not leave me for a long time.
The writing style is so easy to read and follow which helps with the slow pace of the novel.
The characters are the best part of the novel, I became very emotionally invested in them whether it was happiness or anger. These sets of families will not leave me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Murder, Death, and Violence
Minor: War and Abortion
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
sugarplumstories's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Murder, and Pregnancy