East of Eden (Oprah's Book Club)

Rating:
Summary: Exemplary
Review: While reading this book, I often wished I could call up Mr. Steinbeck and discuss it with him. He writes so candidly and sagaciously on human emotion, struggle, and inner purpose. John Steinbeck believed that knowing a man makes it impossible to hate him; this book shows that.

Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking and awe-inspiring
Review: I have to admit that I read this book because of the warm praises it received and how it touched so many lives. And...I have to agree.
The book plays with the ultimate struggle with good and evil. Cathy, symbolizing Satan, looks for the evil in each person and tries to draw it out and exploit it. Steinbeck says, "And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is." Cathy has to continue to change. She changes her name and story constantly. After the murder of her parents and the shooting of her husband, she changes to Kate and becomes a prostitute in a whorehouse. This is the story of evil. Satan can always conceive new and creative ways to lure people to him and yet the evil always dies and is forgotten. On the other hand, virtue is remembered and honored from generation to generation. Samuel's teachings and philosophies are often relied on long after his death. Lee incorporates Samuel's teachings into his upraising of the Trask twins. Therefore, good always conquers in the end as it does in East of Eden. Cathy begins to realize reluctantly near the end of her life that the evil on which she thrived caused her downfall. She had trained herself never to trust anyone and in the end Cathy even began to doubt herself.

The most obvious case of an internal struggle between good and evil is present in Cal, whom I feel I strongly relate too. As a child, he is aware that his light-haired brother is favored over him by nearly everyone. When Cal finally confronts his mother, he believes that Adam loves Aron more because he looks like Cathy. Cal's peers are scared of him and he has no friends. The first young girl that that twins meet is won by Aron. Cal often feels that he has no choice in his evil actions. He believes that his mother's blood that runs through his veins causes him to be bad. Most of Cal's evil actions are merely because of his desire for love and acceptance. "...everyone in the world to a large or small extent has felt rejection...and there is the story of mankind." Cal has felt this rejection throughout his entire life. He knows that Abra favors Aron so he tricks the young girl to try to win her love. But underneath Cal's harsh appearance, is an earnest desire to live a good life. He has a genuine love for Aron and a desire to protect his weaker sibling. "In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted short cuts to love." In Cal, one can see the entire story of mankind unfold-the search for love, the feeling of rejection and hopelessness, and finally the acceptance of one's individuality. Steinbeck successfully created a story that will endure for generations because of its truth and honesty of the story of mankind and our constant battle between good and evil.

Rating:
Summary: Not for Me
Review: In spite of all the good reviews raving about this masterpiece, I don't like it and I'm not going to struggle with it anymore. If it does get interesting, I'll never know as I'm not going to continue. It was painful reading.

Rating:
Summary: East of Sweetness
Review: Evaluation: I first heard about this book from Oprah's book club. It made me interested in the book because of the high praise she was giving it, which persuaded me to read it. The beginning of the book starts off talking about several different families, jumping from one family to the next in each chapter. It made it a little difficult to tell what was going on and where the heck the story was leading. After I got an understanding of where the book was going, I wasn't able to put the book down because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. The book is very versatile, having action, laughs, drama, and that always exciting anticipation. It's a book unlike one that I have ever read. It doesn't focus on one idea in which the book revolves. The book is told through generations, giving the novel many ideas to revolve around, keeping the reader interested at all times in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Novel!
Review: John Steinbeck does a wonderful job of exploring the age-old theme of good vs. evil.

Rating:
Summary: It was worth the reread
Review: I remember reading this book during a literature class. I remember the distinct symbolism between the Cane and Abel -brother of integrity and the brother of reckless abandon. It also draws on the other Biblical concept of the sins of the father will be repeated in the sons.

When I reread the book I found it to be a wonderful story but it isn't subtle and it's less believeable than it was 20 years ago when I read it the first time. There is nothing profound in the plot and the characters ar predictable but interesting. It has a jolt and then gentle flow and it's not a difficult book to read. The best elements of the book are the author's vivd descriptions of the surroundings of the Salinas Valley in California.

I liked it and enjoyed it thoroughly but liked "Cannery Row" better.

Rating:
Summary: True literature
Review: This is a novel that really sticks with you -- provided you make the effort to read it. It reads quickly. The writing is beautiful. By the end, I guarantee you will be moved!

Also recommended: [e-mail] by Tom Grimes, White Oleander

Rating:
Summary: East of Eden Changed my life. The best book of all time
Review: What can I say about East of Eden. This book is a masterpiece. This book made me love reading. I have never in my life become so envolved in a story. I recommend this book to everyone. If you pass this book by you will be denying yourself a truly wonderful experience. The story is timeless and thrilling.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Novel!
Review: Adam Trask is a good man. He is fair and decent in his behavior, if a bit misguided with some of his judgements. Adam is, in so many ways, the Adam. He is God's son, God's pride, and God's test. Using his literary paintings Steinbeck creates a picture book of Adam's life. From his time in the east to his travels out west the reader, or viewer as s/he really is with Steinbeck novels, gets to see Adam's relations with his brother, a mysterious woman, his sons, and a few friends along the way. The beauty of it all is the intricacy. There is almost the smell of hay when the barn is raised and dry earth runs through the reader's hand when Adam is trying to plant out west. All along the way the images and feelings are portrayed with such clarity and amazing sense of power that the reader feels more like a silent partner in the trek than a reader. Also recommended: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez

Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: Wow. A great humanity book on the concepts
of good and evil. Strong characters and a
strong powerful story line. A very interesting
read that will stick with you for awhile.

Diana: Author of: "Inpirational Wisdom For Love,
Beauty, And Richness"; "You Hold The Key To Riches
And Happiness"; (and) Sure Fire Ways To Make More
Money And Get A Better Job".