Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4787 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-07
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

Synopsis
Set in the rich farmland of the Salinas Valley, California, this powerful, often brutal novel, follows the interwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations hopelessly re-enact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Here Steinbeck created some of his most memorable characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of indentity; the inexplicability of love, and the murderous consequences of love's absence.

Customer Reviews

Really hits the spot
You know those phases you go through when the novels you read are enjoyable enough at the time but a few days later you've more or less forgotten them? I was going through one of those phases and moaned about it to the lady at the library desk. She asked if I had read much Steinbeck. I replied that I had read a few at secondary school, some 35 years ago.

And so I borrowed East of Eden on her recommendation, and absolutely loved it. It's a huge, chunky, sprawling, messy epic (which incidentally is not as popular with U.S Amazon reviewers as it is here) spanning generations. Other reviewers have outlined the plot so I won't repeat it. I know part of the novel was made into a film, but I think it would make a wonderful, lengthy, slightly soapy TV drama series. It has that feel to it.

Steinbeck's writing style has been criticised, and it is true that in places it feels rather clumsy and laboured. On the other hand, in places it is elegant and poetic, especially in the descriptions of nature. However, for me, the power of Steinbeck's storytelling abilities and vivid characterisation more than compensated for any faults in the quality of the writing.

It's the perfect antidote to flimsy, insubstantial novels and writing and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

A book to be savoured
At around 500 pages, this is quite a big read. As things turn out, it paces itself nicely. Steinbeck's delivery is thoughtful and thought-provoking. He takes all the time he needs to paint the scenery and develop each set of characters. This is accomplished quite beautifully in places. Then the tempo can quicken and the reader feels a sense of anticipation - or foreboding when the ruthless Cathy/Kate is involved. She is clinical and calculating, damaged and damaging. Other characters range from unfulfilled dreamers to arch-pragmatists. I found this book totally absorbing, even more than the excellent Grapes of Wrath, and am now into my next Steinbeck: Cannery Row. I have a strong feeling it won't be the last!

North of Perfection
EoE is the story of three generations of a family ( the Trasks ). It's set against the backdrop of the growth and development of America as a nation - taking in the Civil War ( in the distance ), the conquest of Native Americans and finally the First World War. The story starts in the East but mostly unfolds in California's Salinas valley - mirroring the great push west. Finally in the background we hear the sound of society moving from agriculture to industry.

It's a modern day telling of one of the oldest stories in the world - that of Cain and Abel - which is retold twice really. You can view the book as simply a great story well told, or a philosophical examination of the nature of destiny and the extent to which a man may truly make his own life. The great thing is that the book rises to meet the needs of the reader - you don't having to consider it as a moral treatise or an expansion of a 'great theme' but if you so wish you may.

The simple wisdom of the book is one of its great strengths. For example

"And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry years. It was always that way" - this amongst the first description we have of the Salinas valley.

"And of course they were descended from the ancient kings of Ireland, as every Irishman is" - this of old Sam Hamilton ( see later ).

Another aspect of its appeal is the way it paints the life of the time - e.g. the matter of fact discussion of brothels, and the utterly brilliant description of a human birth - certainly the best I've ever read.

Finally there is the dark charm of Cathy - one of the central characters. For me she is one of the most memorable characters in fiction. Human, but with no warmth inside we can see how a person with no 'gene for goodness' might act. The triumph is the lack of histrionics or sensation. She wrecks lives and why - well 'there are no reasons' and what could be darker than that.

We should not forget the excellent cast of characters - Sam Hamilton, the everyman patriach, and Lee the sagelike manservant, Abra the girl struggling with being put on a pedestal, Joe who 'just needs the breaks' and many more.

I really can't recommend this book enough and believe it to be a magnificent triumph.