Has anyone ever read "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck?

Question

I just ate up this six hundred page novel. What do you think of it, critique and compare.

Answer 1

I have to admit that I was shocked at how much I loved it. Mice was great of course, but I've hated all the other short stories and novels he had written.

I just finished "100 Years of Solitude" yesterday and I actually had flashbacks to Eden. Both books have such strong writing styles with a great storyline and lots of fun twists. If you haven't read 100 years yet, I'd recommend it. It is just as long and just as captivating (though the names will get you confused at times!).

Answer 2

Great book. He wrote many good tales, East of Eden is just the most awesome fictionalized account of the actuall events that did take place in that time.
The Cane and Abel story was taken to new hights with Mr Stienbecks version of it.
The lettuce thing was a true event, but it wasnt that man that did it. Still fascinateing.

Answer 3

I read it about 10 years ago in high school and I remember flying through it as well. At the time I was just mesmerized by it. It might be interesting to read it again now that I've read so many other books.

Answer 4

I never read this Steinbeck novel. Have you tried Amazon.com? They probably have reader reviews, comments on the novel.

Answer 5

I loved it! (I wrote my freshman Composition and Rhetoric paper on it.) It is basically a modern day "Cain and Abel story" interwoven with the family history of the "Hamilton" (Steinbeck) family in the Salinas Valley. I'd say it is Steinbeck's second greatest novel, next to The Grapes of Wrath. East of Eden is the story of two generations of brothers, surnamed Trask (each generation having a Cain and Abel parallel, right down to their names beginning with "C" and "A"). In the second generation, Cal worries that he is evil, like his "bad" uncle and his mother, Kate (who refers to herself as a monster). Cal sees his brother, Aron, as good; though Aron is sensitive, he is naive. Cal feels that his brother is favored by their father (as God favored Abel). Cal is comparable to Cain for their agricultural endeavors. Cal and Will Hamilton partner in a venture to grow beans for the military. Adam Trask becomes outraged and shows disdain for the money Cal tries to give him. Cal feels rejected (as God rejected the offerings of crops by Cain, instead favoring the animal sacrifices of Abel). Cal's actions ultimately hurt Aron, who runs away to join the military after Cal "steals" Aron's girlfriend, who simply grows to love Cal out of sympathy for his suffering over not being accepted. There is somewhat of a parallel in that Cal's uncle had caused the split up of Cal's father and mother. (Unlike the story of Cain and Abel, in both Trask generations, the "C" sons stay put, whereas the "A" sons leave: Cal's father left the east to go to California, and Aron leaves to join the military.)

Answer 6

I didn't read the book but there is an old Jimmy Dean movie that was soooo good.

Answer 7

yes ages ago and so the movie as well,good stuff for that time,but i like Steinbeck anyway.

Answer 8

Nope, but I bet it's good.

Answer 9

yeah...i read it in 11th grade... great book! i shoud read it again!

Answer 10

i did not read it