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Summary: WOW!
Review: Yes, it took Oprah to get me reading a "classic". I have always been meaning to, but when she brought back her book club, that was it. I know this book has gotten very mixed reviews over the years, as well as the author himself. It seems you either love Steinbeck or hate him. After reading East of Eden, I love him. I am a big fan of the good vs. evil, so this book was right up my alley. I enjoyed pretty much everything about it. I liked the characters, the suspense, the story and the way it was written (so very easy to read- I didn't have to pull out my dictionary once!). Don't get me wrong, it's not impeccable, but it is a great read. To anyone who is thinking about starting to read "classics"- this might be a great one to start with!
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Summary: Another wonderful Steinbeck Work
Review: East of Eden was in no way a dissapointment. True to Steinbecks' descriptive writing, it once again delved into the human pysche and the root of hatred and evil. It showed mankind's struggle in where else, but California. Kind of like a family history, but a decent storyline. If the beginning seems a tad boring, dont worry the end gets quite good. The book was greatly fascinating and it kept me hooked to the very end. The twisting, turning plot line tended to keep me guessing. Even when I thought I knew Steinbeck's next move, I was quickly fooled. Very, very depressing, so dont read if youre already down.
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Summary: THANK YOU, OPRAH!
Review: I've always wanted to read more classical literature but I just didn't know where to begin. Bad memories of high school English class haunted me into my adulthood and limited my reading. Therefore I was very enthusiastic when Oprah's announced the idea of her new book club focusing on the classics. I thank her for giving me a means to read books that have stood the test of time. I believe EAST OF EDEN was a wonderful first selection as its plot is great in depth and scope. Primarily set in the early 20th century (beginning during The Civil War and ending with World War I), this book follows the life of Adam Trask as he finds his own Eden in the Salinas Valley of California. The characters are three-dimensional and believable. The most comprehensive is Cathy, Adam's wife with a very dark soul and is full of evil and hate. I have certainly never met a character like her before. Also unforgettable is Lee, Adam's Chinese-American servant who always managed to add much great philosophical insights into the events unfolding in the Trask household. In addition to the excellent character development Steinbeck included social commentaries on the founding of the West. I believe he did a very good job of balancing the good and the bad of Western expansion, particularly in regards to racial issues. I also appreciated Steinbeck's method of writing himself into the story as the narrator and even using his real name that is indeed rare. I didn't rush through this book as I would normally do but rather savored each chapter, however small or big. It has been a long time since I have read a book that has captured me like EAST OF EDEN has. This book will reside in a special place on my bookcase further enabling me to enjoy it for year to come. Bravo!
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Summary: Not a 'critical' success...who cares?
Review: Another compelling piece of excellence from the great American novelist. I'm glad Oprah added this to her collection on order to get the widespread coverage it deserves. Competing with Mark Twain, aka Samuel Clemens, Steinbeck ranks amongst the all-time best of American authors. Bravo!
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Summary: East of Eden
Review: If fiction reading is not your thing, if you are a non-fiction reader like myself, but want to get a flavor of what "East of Eden" is about, watch the original movie with James Dean as Cal. If the book bores you, the movie will not. This movie came out 1954-55. Dean's portrayal of Cal Trask is powerful and moving. I could identify with his feelings as a young person who desperately wants his father's love and approval, but is not the favorite child, and can never please his father. The role of the stern father is played by Raymond Massey. The TV movie "East of Eden" with Jane Seymour was good too, and covers more of the book, but I prefer the original movie for obvious reasons (James Dean).
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Summary: East (West?) of Eden
Review: East of Eden by John Steinbeck captivated my interest, leaving me spellbound during many incidents. However, I sometimes felt like a fish trying to catch a bait that was put before me and snatched away just when I wanted to take a big bite. That is, I could almost never guess the outcome. The characters often seemed to switch positions from being the good guy to the bad guy, and perhaps that is the way of temptation, luring a good person into doing evil things. Adam should have remained pure,Cathy should have had more decency but was a "wolf in sheep's clothing," and Charles, though presented at first as an icon of everything that was good, all to soon does an about face being lured by his ego and loose women. The characters battle against each other and the strong forces of nature to transform resistant land of the Salinas Valley in California to a garden of splendor, all in a backdrop of the Civil War years. Steinbeck splendidly uses his mastery of language and genuis at depicting one-of-a-kind characters to create a tale of love/hate, good/evil, trust/deception, poverty/wealth cleverly intertwined so that a second guess turns into a soured truth with a hole in it. I highly recommend the reading of this book with its unpredictability, even though the reader may feel manipulated and deceived, just as the characters often were.
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Summary: Reader from Veradale
Review: Oprah got me to read this classic. It is her first pick in the new beginning of her book club. I really liked the book and had a hard time putting it down once I started it. It really made me think about what influences we have on the way a child can end up with the background that Caleb and Aron had. Sad how Cathy was a influence without even raising her boys. Lee was the only good role model and stable enough to keep the family together.
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Summary: Don't let reviews spoil the plot!!
Review: When I read this book, it launched me on a personal goal to read all of his novels. I have completed almost all of them and anticipate re-reading them all over again! He has personally inspired me to appreciate the beautiful lands of California's Salinas Valley and Monterey. The history of the valley and coast is widely recognized because of the stories and novels by Mr. Steinbeck. He publicized their unique problems in a literary format widely received and applauded at the time. It is obvious that by the endorsement of Oprah's book club, his writings are as fresh and pertinent as ever. _East of Eden_ is a powerful novel spanning generations and focusing on two brothers, Adam and Charles. As profiled in the editorial review, the family dynamics becomes incredibly complicated. This complication is the facilitator of future difficulties and the impetus of a great story you should not miss. His novels struck a chord in many people, myself included. Each one of his books propelled me forward to read another, and another. It is worth stating that one of my happiest days ever was to re-visit Cannery Row and explore the places he wrote about.
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Summary: East of Eden kept me up at night!
Review: This book was so good that I couldn't sleep until I had finished it. Cathy Ames is a delicious character who also kept me up at night thinking about the things she had done. I think she is my favorite character feom any book.
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Summary: The Salinas Valley is in Northern California.
Review: That's the first sentence of East of Eden, and it only gets better from there. This life-altering novel is much more than a retelling of the Cain and Abel story. It is a masterfully crafted depiction of the human spirit that works its way into your life before you've even realized it. Steinbeck's writing is genuine and simple, uniting plot and philosophy seamlessly throughout the book. I draw so much inspiration from the character of Lee: eloquently honest and observant with others and himself. With a little help from Oprah, East of Eden is no longer such a secret....it would be selfish of me to keep it one.
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