East of Eden
by John Steinbeck
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Book Reviews of East of Eden
Book Review: East of Eden
Summary: 5 Stars
'East of Eden' shows yet again what a master John Steinbeck was. This manages to mix his usual poetic styling with a story of utmost cruelty, sadness and pathos that you are left profoundly moved and affected. This novel doesn't flow quite as easily as 'Grapes of Wrath' and has more asides to comment on the story and points being raised, but this made for a more in-depth experience and one that leaves you thinking about the themes to a greater degree. The introduction is very good, but be aware it has many spoilers and is best read after you've read the novel through, I didn't do this and some aspects of the story were slightly ruined as a result. Steinbeck has the power to draw you into the novel and make you delight at his turn of phrase and the emotions he evokes within you. You feel yourself despairing with certain characters and smarting at the injustices portrayed, as well as a whole host of other emotions, the mark of a great novel. This wont leave you feeling especially upbeat, but it will leave you profoundly moved and different from when you started it and I don't know about you but I cherish and respect that in any book. Snap it up and immerse yourself in the world of this book. HIGHLY recommended.Book Review: Enjoy it or don't, but read it.
Summary: 3 Stars
I found this book to be fairly enjoyable and full of beautiful gems. I wrote down pages of quotes that I thought were worthy of being remembered. I reveled in many of Steinbeck's descriptions and elaborations. However, I do understand how many people could find this book obvious and simple.
To me it was an inspirational read much in the same way that the Bible can be moving. I took much value away from reading this novel because I began to look at it as an example of good and evil. A simplistic illustration that allowed the writer to voice his thoughts about life. This did not necessarily create a great turning point in literature, but I believe it did what it was intended to do; make the reader reflect.
I was not left with an overpowering thirst to run out and add this book to my collection but neither did I regret the time I had spent reading it. I would definitely recommend this book because I believe it is worth pushing through the boring parts to have the entire work to look back at and ponder. After all, over 100 of us had comments to share about it.
"Perhaps the best conversationalist in the world is the man who helps others to talk."
Book Review: A book that stays with you
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't sure what to expect when I read East of Eden. I certainly wasn't expecting to be swept away in Steinbeck's eloquent prose or on the edge of my seat, barely able to wait for the ending and yet not really wanting the book to end. At times this was difficult to read--Steinbeck is a master of showing the depravity of humanity--and at other moments you're blown away by his understanding of the good in all of us as well. He shows us that life is about the choices that we make, and not about the blood in us. Genetics have nothing to do with what our life can become, and Steinbeck works this into the novel beautifully. This book grips you and doesn't let you go even after you finish it. It tears away at your pre-conceived notions about life--and takes your breath away with the truth of humanity and what we are capable of--both for good and for evil.
Hauntingly, painfully beautiful in places, and just plain painful to read in spots, East of Eden is truly a masterpiece. It's not always easy to read, but even when you're disturbed beyond reason at what is happening, you can't stop reading. It's hypnotizing. Definitely one of my favorite books of all time.
Book Review: East of Eden
Summary: 3 Stars
East of Eden, written by John Steinbeck, takes the reader back to the early 1900's, when horses were being replaced by automobiles and California still had open, fertile land for beans. The competitive relationship between twin brothers follows the story of "Cain and Abel", but is easily followed by a reader who is not Christian. I recomend this book for the teenage readers. Although filled with numerous chapters, the book reads easily. With an intricate plot and characters whose secrets are slowly unraveled, Steinbeck creates a novel full of characters with complex emotions, motives and relationships. Although rarely a dull moment exists for the Trask family and their companions, the book encompasses so many characters that it takes some getting used to Steinbeck's ever-changing focus in the chapters. The book often introduces an under-developed character who dies, unfortunately, directly after the reader has formed an attachment to him.
I would not say that this book should become a part of your permanent library, but it deserves consideration. John Steinbeck is a creative writer and easily displays this in East of Eden.
Book Review: Interesting, but Characters are Hard to Relate to
Summary: 4 Stars
Throughout East of Eden, John Steinbeck creates characters that are intriguing but pushes their personalities to the extreme ends of the spectrum of good and evil, making them difficult to relate to. Despite this, the characters' interactions and the history that they weave makes a compelling read. The parallel to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel is clear and at times, the familiar struggles of the "Cains" of the book provoke an empathy that the more angelic characters fail to stimulate. Even the evilest of characters such as Cathy, can be identified with more then the more moral characters, such as Adam, and, without a doubt, make for a more interesting read. Still, despite issues with characterization, the book pulls you into its world of interweaving stories and one quickly gets lost in trying to sort out the intricacies of relationships and human traits. Despite puzzling family history stories that will have you wondering about their exact significance to the rest of the book, the parallel themes of guilt and forgiveness tie the book together from beginning to end.