East of Eden by John Steinbeck Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of East of Eden
Book Review: A Simply Amazing Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first found myself assigned the task of reading East Of Eden, I was intimidated by its length and wondering about its significance and how impressive would be. When I finished the entire novel, there were no doubts in my mind about its ability to apply to all humanity and meld the Bible into the lives of ordinary people. I was absolutely entranced by this book. It is a masterfully crafted work of literature that deserves to be read and digested by all people, and is rightfully placed as a classic.
What makes East of Eden such a masterpiece is that author John Steinbeck melds the theme to fit all humans, no matter what their background is. Steinbeck brings the Biblical tale of brothers Cain and Abel to prominence in the novel, focusing on this Biblical allusion above the many others also used. The feuding brothers Charles and Adam Trask represent one generation of the Biblical duo, and Adam's sons Cal and Aron carry on the symbolism. Although readers are inclined to sympathize with the slain brother Abel the two characters that represent him in the novel (Adam and Aron), Steinbeck skillfully blends good and evil to give readers a sense of empathy for Charles and Cal, who do not receive the same degree of attention and devotion from their fathers that their brothers possess. Cal is the person who constantly feels the need to change his environment, which in effect leads to harm, yet he is genuinely searching for love and recognition from his father Adam Trask. Using this situation as a major conflict in the novel, Steinbeck emphasizes the importance of love to all human beings and the need for love, and the dangers resulting from deprived love.
At certain chapters, Steinbeck diverts from the story and delves into philosophical discussions about human nature and the themes circulating in the novel. It is in these chapters that he explicitly mentions the ideas and motifs placed throughout the book, and the chapters further enhance the uniqueness of East of Eden. A wide variety of other Biblical events and characters are represented in the story as well, including Jesus, Jacob, Adam and Eve, the garden of Eden, and many more. The entire story is not a stale Biblical parable like one would think it is, but is actually an intriguing tale with a number of different storylines crossing together that succeeds in keeping the attention of readers. The major element that keeps East of Eden exciting and enjoyable to read is the constant conflict between good and evil, involving characters such as the thoroughly villainous Cathy, the sagacious Samuel Hamilton, and the wise, soothing Lee. Steinbeck uses these contrasting characters to depict the neverending struggle between good and evil that pervades the story. It is this battle that makes East of Eden such a constantly appealing book that all people can relate to. Steinbeck's skillful treatment of characters, conflicts and the themes of struggling for love and avoiding extreme actions succeed in making any reader interested and feeling relation to the characters. The message of the novel is best embodied through the character of Lee, the intellectual servant who introduces the word "Timshel", meaning "thou mayest", indicating that people are able to have control over personal futures, and carrying the story's idea that all people can choose their own paths in life. The strength of the book comes from its ability to apply to all people, which is what, according to Lee, the best stories are able to do.
The writing styles used by John Steinbeck in East of Eden are truly remarkable and something to admire. Steinbeck's skill in describing a scene or object in fresh and exciting methods and his ability to narrate in a dry voice that still captures the attention of readers is what makes the book enjoyable. When touching upon the themes in those certain chapters, Steinbeck writes as if he were engaged in actual conversation with readers, and immerses them into his explanations. To add humor to the novel, Steinbeck intersperses the narration with sharp and insightful comments about human nature and the motivations and actions of people. For much of the book, Steinbeck's language is simple but conveys deep meaning and accurately paints the images of the novel in a way that is easy for people to comprehend. Readers may feel that East of Eden is far too long to be read quickly, but the storylines and conflicts will keep readers hooked and eager to delve into the story and analysis.
Overall, East of Eden is a deeply entertaining novel that accurately reveals human nature and the difficulties and trials surrounding the lives of human beings. Steinbeck efficiently blends in Biblical characters and themes and elevates the struggles of ordinary people to as religious level that has relevance for all people. Such an accomplishment is rarely achieved by any author, making East of Eden a unique novel that is interesting to read and discuss.
Book Review: The Hobo Philosopher
Summary: 4 Stars
This one slowed me down on reading Steinbeck. It was long and slow moving. It was overly philosophical. All the characters in this novel are philosophers. The movie was better than the book - the good actors covered the difficult plot. But there is no one to cover the poor reader. I finished it because I like Steinbeck. He lost it on this one in my opinion. He tried to say too much and consequently he made me sleepy. It was somewhat reminiscent of Gun Smoke - big tall character who are very wise and very deep. Hard to swallow.Book Review: East of Eden
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best book I have ever read and Steinbeck is a favorite author of mine, but this book is by far his BEST! A must read for every reading enthusiast! Book Review: Treasure Chest - Steinbeck Lives On
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book twice and intend to read it again. The first time was when I was 10. It, along with Tobacco Road (Erskine Caldwell) was forbidden me as unfit literature for children (my mother was an avid reader, but she protected my childhood as long as she dared) so naturally, it became my goal to find where she had hidden them, and read both, which I did, having wasted nearly all of one summer looking for them. Finding them buried deep beneath some old clothes in her large Cedar chest, I curled up on the old sofa beneath the sunny kitchen window where the yellow June blooming roses were alive and vocal with the buzzing of bees, eagerly opened the pages and began to read........
This book, obviously, parallels the story of Caine and Abel in many mortal ways. It's an incredible tale of betrayal, that I understand had roots in truth, woven around the totally depraved character of one woman, who, though amply endowed with charm, intelligence and ambition, it's but an outward veneer, and she is without the things that make such a person whole - conscience, loyalty, mother love, or any other human emotion that separates us from the primitive - and gets what she wants by using others. Killing someone is not something she worries much about.
This woman, taken in by the Trask brothers after being found nearly beaten to death on their doorstep, marries one, beds the other and bears two boys who are by the brother not married to - twins - just before she leaves the good man who thinks he is their father - from her childbed, without a backward look. The story gets better and more incredulous with each passing page. You are given insight into any number of human conditions, characters, motivations, and finally, betrayal of yet another trust between brothers.
It's one of Steinbeck's best works. He is a master of the written word - one who can pull you into the story even if you come from a different world than the one you are in as his fascinated reader - and ask you to feel it move you all the way there and back. There are these others by Steinbeck that number among my favorite reads and grace my personal library:
"Grapes of Wrath"
"Cannery Row"
"The Red Pony" which is an unusual story about a young boy and his horse - of a love lost, but with responsibility and maturity painfully gained - book from my youth, but which is much more than a child's story.
Book Review: masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a 600 page masterpiece. This book grabbed my attention from start to finish. I read it in 1 week. It did get a little slow during the middle of the book. But I feel Steinbeck wrote that in as a plateau for such a mountain of a book. He is a true artist with every word & sentence. He draw's the scene out with a paint brush with fine brush strokes. Then when the scene is finished. He let's the great character's speak. They speak with true life meanings and lessons. I stopped reading for many years and this book is going to inspire me to keep reading for the rest of my life. But I don't think any book will live up to the masterpiece of this book. I will probally compare the rest of my readings to this book and find nothing will compare to it. I will surely read everything he has wrote and find joy in each one.