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Summary: An American classic
Review: Steinbeck can be a bit heavy-handed at times with metaphor and moral, but this book is a wonderful read. I discovered it as an adolescent 30 years ago, and it still ranks as one of my all-time favorites. I'm delighted that Oprah has introduced it to a new generation! You are going to love this book. It's a can't-put-down page turner.
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Summary: GRAPES OF WRATH IS NOW A SECOND FAVORITE
Review: I read this book for the first time many years ago because I am a John Steinbeck fan. I thought that Grapes of Wrath was wonderful, but this book is even more mesmorizing. You can picture the characters and actually feel the good and evil and confusion in each of them. I read both Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden at least five times. Both are lengthy, but both tell a story that will keep you up all night reading. If anyone has seen the old movie, it no way compares to the book. What did compare to the book was a television mini-series way back in the 80's which starred Jane Seymour as Kathy. It was wonderful and so portrayed this book and I am desperately trying to find it on DVD. You will be so disturbed by this book and you won't be able to put it down. I was thrilled that Oprah finally read it!
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Summary: At last: An Oprah book I can agree with!
Review: This is a classic, but one younger generations of readers might easily overlook. I applaud Oprah for reviving interest in some great books from the past. This and The Little Red (Sox) Book, a revisionist history by that other classic writer, Bill "Spaceman" Lee are two must-read summer books!
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Summary: A book I have loved for 30 years
Review: How wonderful that, through Oprah's discovery of it, so many readers will immerse themselves in this rich novel! I've loved it since my freshman year of college (I spent a weekend devouring it after seeing the James Dean film.) I live in Northern California now, and Steinbeck's description of the Salinas Valley in spring rings true to me each year. EAST OF EDEN is the Cain and Abel story (note how the names of Cathy, Abra and the Trasks start with C or A), but it's also the realization that through that story, we have been granted freedom of choice, for good or ill. And it is Steinbeck's own story; the Hamiltons were his mother's family, and how I loved getting acquainted with them. I very much appreciate Lee, who subtly represents the multifaceted history of the Chinese people in this area. There is US history, from the Civil War to WWI, and the settling of California. And there is, ultimately, the triumph of love over the evil of shame and doubt. The defining moment falls in the exact center of the book: Steinbeck was a master storyteller, and I am ever grateful he shared this one with us.
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Summary: Great....Great Read
Review: This is a great book. The author takes you through a few generations of a family but cleverly keeps the audience attention. This book has it all. Romance, violence, betrayal, sorrow, you will be happy and sad and upset all at one time. I enjoyed it.... it is very long so get ready for a long but interesting trip.
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Summary: The Greatest American Novel Ever Written
Review: This is without a doubt the BEST book I have ever read. Even if you are not a fan of classic American lit you will love this book.
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Summary: East of Eden
Review: i've been trying to figure out why i liked this book so much. i was expecting to find it long and dull. When the first chapter was entirely narration, without a single peice of dialouge or plot, i almost put the book down then and there (actually, there isnt any dialouge until the bottom of page 24). However, i actually found myself enjoying even the long discriptions of scenery that i usually skim or skip entirely. The plot was fast, but somehow the book kept the feeling that it was slowly plodding along. It almost has the feeling of reading a history textbook. for some reason, however, i was completely intrigued, and had trouble putting it down for long. Actually, to talk about the book's "plot" is a bit of a stretch, because the focus of the book is entirely off of action. Many key events happen "offstage" (to use theater terms), and some are only implied. Steinbeck focuses on motivations, and the characters thoughts and emotions, rather than the actions themselves. everything i usually i love about a novel, this novel didnt have, and this novel had alot i usually hate in a novel, and yet i still found myself enjoying it immensely. i guess thats y its a classic.
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Summary: Any Steinbeck book...
Review: There is little need to consult Oprah or any TV star for your literary needs!
ANY public library can EASILY fill those wants!!
If you're too housebound to go to the nearest library, simply look up FREE books on-line, that's it, type in the book title or author, [...]
or use the Guttenberg website[...]
and ENJOY reading on-line, no pages to turn, no books to return, NO CHARGE!!!
Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: It is often for someone to come across great reads that actually changes the person's life. Reading Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot" and John Steinbeck's "East of Eden" had a profound influence on me. There was so much to learn from those stories since they were so complete in treating humanity. In fact, these are deep, insightful and inspirational books that one can not easily throw aside after one has finished. These major classics are books to ponder about, books for us to think and reflect over and over. If you haven't read this great piece of American literature, then I suggest that you do so.
I also recommend: Anna Karenina and Disciples of Fortune-these are two other classic works.
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Summary: One of the best books ever written!
Review: This is a true classic in every sense of the word. My book club read it a few years ago (before Oprah announced it as her pick). This is a must read for everybody. To me, it is about how decieving people can be, and how many people seem to be born good or evil. The story is absolutely riveting. I never read ahead in my book club, as we meet every week and agree on a certain stopping place, but I just could not put it down, and finished the entire book in a few days.
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