East of Eden
John Steinbeck
1952
608 pages
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FTC: I bought this one. Hey, don’t roll your eyes at me! I happen to like supporting publishers and authors with my money.
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I was inspired to read this by the Classic Reads Book Club, where we are discussing the book from now through March. So I’m not going to say much here. Except:
- Awesome book. You should think about reading it.
- It’s set in the Salinas Valley of California, which is a kick in the pants if you live on the Central Coast.
- It tells the story of two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons…one rich in land, the other poor in land but rich in family and love.
- Despite its heft, it was a quick read.
- Cathy is scary.
- And Adam is a total sap for most of the book.
- I’m bummed Lee’s bookstore didn’t work out.
- And finally…timshel.
I will take the suggestion of your first bullet point, and I will think about reading this one.
charley´s last blog ..The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean
Dear Fizzy Thoughts,
I am an author of a blog. Please support me. You have my address. Send small unmarked bills.
We have Dracula Is Dead too by the way. I gave it to my husband to read, since he has so much more in common with Dracula than I do.
rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of “A Dog At Sea” by J. F. Englert
I really should read this already. I think Steinbeck is a gorgeous writer, though I had trouble with Grapes of Wrath because it was a bit preachy. Did you find that same thing in East of Eden?
Jenny´s last blog ..Writing swear words in the margins
Finish this one and then go read more Steinbeck. He’s a favorite author.
Beth F´s last blog ..From Biologist to Author: A Visit with Sneed B. Collard III
I’d wonder about you if you DIDN’T love this book. This is one of my all-time favorites. And Cathy is most definitely scary.
Florinda´s last blog ..Week-End Review: Travels across the blogiverse this week
Cathy is probably the best written villain I’ve ever read. She was amazingly creepy.
Amanda´s last blog ..SS: "Roselily," by Alice Walker
love steinbeck–am reading ‘of mice and men’ with my juniors right now–also set in the salinas valley.
enjoy the weekend–it’s a snowy one for us in new jersey.
I loved East of Eden. Would like to read Grapes of Wrath but have to see how THICK that book is??
Lisa´s last blog ..3. Free For All by Don Borchert
Steinbeck is awesome and East of Eden is one of my all-time favorites! I once read that Cathy was based on Steinbeck’s first wife.
JoAnn´s last blog ..Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks
I have lost my copy. Actually, the library’s copy. I brought it to read while my kids were doing state testing on Tuesday, I know I brought it home, and by Thursday it was nowhere to be found. Still haven’t checked under the seats of the car, though.
Ali´s last blog ..Diversity Roll Call: Paradigm Shift
I need to pick my copy back up. I loved what I was reading, but obligations…
Literate Housewife´s last blog ..Have You Been to a Bookstore Like This?
Hmm, should I give Steinbeck another chance? Didn’t like The Pearl. Didn’t like Grapes of Wrath…
Aarti´s last blog ..Review: Under Heaven
Oh, Steinbeck why for art thou not my cup of tea? I want to try to like him, but GoW was such a bad experience for me. : ( Glad you loved it though!
My sister’s been telling me I need to read this one for a while. Have you been talking to her?
Kathy´s last blog ..Our Life in France – banking, money and numbers
Fantastic not-quite-a-review! Timshel indeed.
I just finished part 2 and plan on posting about it tomorrow for the kick off of the second round of discussions.
Stephanie´s last blog ..Sunday Salon
Ugh, pls don’t make me read this! tell me what the ^%$* timshel is because I know I’ll never get to this book no matter how much you tell me it’s awesome. I won’t. you can’t make me!
Care´s last blog ..The Princess Bride
I haven’t read this one yet. I’ve been collecting more and more of the classics that I never read or I read in school and need to reread now. I haven’t gotten very far yet but I’m working in it! Enjoy the book club!
Wrighty´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday
Choosing a favorite book is like choosing your favorite child, but I have to say, I think East of Eden is damn near perfection. Steinbeck made me fall in love with the written word. I’ve been addicted ever since…
Alison (Alison’s Book Marks)´s last blog ..Funny Story From Claire
I read this about 6 or 7 years ago and absolutely loved it. I read it in 24 hours and that’s counting bathroom and food breaks. I didn’t go to sleep until I finished reading it, I was hooked from the the first page. My spouse thought I was insane for not getting any rest while reading this book, but it wasn’t the first time and it probably will not be the last.
If you are interested another good book is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy