Give me a brief preview about the book called East of Eden, what is the story about?

Answer 1

This is a long and difficult read, but here is a little bit about it - enough to whet your appetite. East of Eden is a version of the Caine and Abel story from the Bible - two brothers both with different values in life - each one trying for the love of their father and trying to understand the prostitute mother who walked out on them and they never really knew. Caleb tries to win his father's love by going into business growing beans to feed the army, but he is cruelly rejected when his father considers it to be "blood money". Aron the other brother goes off to war to make their father proud. When he is killed, their father has a stroke. The book ends with the father uttering perhaps the most important word in literature - "timshel" Hebrew for "thou mayest" - indicating his belief that Cal will manage to overcome the evil nature he inherited from his prostitute mother. It is the one of the most perfect novels ever written and certainly Steinbeckr's masterpiece. The movie is great for the opportunity to see James Dean act in one of his only three movies, but it bears little resemblence to the book. Read the book, then watch the movie. James Dean was very nice to look at.

If you are studying this book (and it is a difficult and challenging read ) go to Oprah.com and use her study guide. It is the best study guide for this book available. Pax - C

PS ... sorry for the mistake - I was watching the Yankee Game - A Rod hit a grand slam and I wasnt paying attention to what I was writing. Forgive me. It's still a great book.

Answer 2

Persephone gives a good outline of the book with one exception-it is not Faulkner's masterpiece since it was written by Steinbeck-and he wrote better books than East of Eden.

Answer 3

East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

(STUDY GUIDES)

http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/East_Of_Eden/East_Of_Eden01.html

http://www.antistudy.com/search.php?title=East+of+Eden

http://www.freebooknotes.com/book.php3?id=123

Summary

The book begins by describing Samuel and his family living in Salinas Valley. Samuel was a very creative man who invented many things. Even though any one of his inventions could have carried him to fortune, he remained a poor farmer because the fact was that even though he was a creative inventor, he was a bad business man. Sam was known around his area to be wise and people came to him for advice. He had a wife and nine kids.

http://summarycentral.tripod.com/eastofeden.htm

SHORT PLOT/CHAPTER SUMMARY (Synopsis)

The narrator of the novel grew up in the Salinas valley in northern California. He remembers how the mountains to the east were always bright with light, while the mountains to the west were always dark and foreboding. The mountains foreshadow the story that will follow; it is a tale of good versus evil, the Cain and Abel story retold. More…..

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmEastEden06.asp

Answer 4

I have never read it but Faulkner did NOT write East of Eden.
Joh Steinbeck did.
Sorry, Persiphone_Hellecat, but you are wrong about that aspect.

Just wanted to clear that up =)

Answer 5

there is no such thing as a brief overview...that book has so many characters!

go to sparknotes.com