Same here! I hated Grapes of Wrath with a passion... I've heard amazing things about East of Eden though so maybe I need to give Steinbeck another chance 😅
Many have asked me if I have read this after discovering two of his books in my bookshelf. I did read “of mice and men”, it was mid, though beautiful, I think I had high expectations. Hope this one is better :) I’m reading ‘the grapes of wrath’ when I finish reading ‘Stoner’.
We actually did read mice and men I think in high school but it doesn’t exist in my memory much. I find it odd to try and teach Steinbeck to teenagers, most can’t appreciate it. I hope you love the next one more. Also I need to read Stoner let me know what you think!
I lived in the Monterey/Salinas area for some time and I could never not see the brooding v. angelic mountain visual. While not the focus of the book it certainly made me look around more and think about how environment can parallel story.
Natalie, this was spectacular!!!! I’ve never read any Steinbeck and growing up a devout Catholic (against my will until my parents died) I’ve always stayed away from East of Eden. Not that I didn’t think it would be interesting but I had enough of all things biblical. The way you described the novel reminds me of the movie Giant from 1956.
I love your reviews, they always curl you in and here I am adding yet another novel to my TBR 😍
God, this book is INCREDIBLE. When I read it two years ago, I remember saying to my friend who recommended it that I learned more about the Bible and god and religion from this book than I ever did from almost two decades in Sunday school. Mostly thanks to Cathy, whose straddling of the line between devil and mother is one of the most brilliant wrestlings with the rife inheritances of Eve's daughters -- every single woman, if you ask most of the religious folks I grew up around -- that I've ever read.
I found myself wanting to re-read Paradise Lost after I read this. It's like...Miltonic in its epic scope, and at times Faulknerian in its swift landings of enormous and terrifying ideas.
Martha and I talked about the merits of reading it blind so to speak or trying to brush up on the biblical references before starting - I am poorly educated in that area and we both decided to just go for it, but I would love to hear from someone who has a strong religious background what they thought. It all adds another layer of complexity I am probably only skimming. Terrifying ideas - agreed!
Excellent piece here, you served the wide scope of Eden so beautifully! Hope to buddy read again in the future, it’s been so fun to see what everyone takes away from the text🙏
I loved this Natalie! It’s so hard to try and touch all bases of the scope and range of themes this book tackles, but I think you explored some of the most prominent really well!! I’m glad the shower gave you the clarity you were searching for. Adam hate club forever fr the most useless fictional character I may have ever ever read.
East of Eden being one of my favourite reads of the year was not on my 2024 bucket list lol x
This is such a wonderfully written review -- you've actually convinced me that this is something I want to pick up!
the highest of compliments thank you Madeline!!
I am still mildly traumatized from my high school Grapes of Wrath experience but this has me wanting to give East of Eden a try?
Same here! I hated Grapes of Wrath with a passion... I've heard amazing things about East of Eden though so maybe I need to give Steinbeck another chance 😅
i couldnt even read it, sounded so boring. Eden was not boring!
Go for it! East of Eden is a great read.
Ah! I can’t imagine kids today appreciating Steinbeck. I am really enjoying Stoner. It was so easy to get into it.
Many have asked me if I have read this after discovering two of his books in my bookshelf. I did read “of mice and men”, it was mid, though beautiful, I think I had high expectations. Hope this one is better :) I’m reading ‘the grapes of wrath’ when I finish reading ‘Stoner’.
We actually did read mice and men I think in high school but it doesn’t exist in my memory much. I find it odd to try and teach Steinbeck to teenagers, most can’t appreciate it. I hope you love the next one more. Also I need to read Stoner let me know what you think!
Might be time for a reread. Great review!
Thank you !☺️ I imagine you would get so much from a reread of this book
I think so! It’s been quite a while. But I loved it even then.
I lived in the Monterey/Salinas area for some time and I could never not see the brooding v. angelic mountain visual. While not the focus of the book it certainly made me look around more and think about how environment can parallel story.
that is an EXCELLENT point. I didnt even dig much into the landscape but he really did set the scene
Natalie, this was spectacular!!!! I’ve never read any Steinbeck and growing up a devout Catholic (against my will until my parents died) I’ve always stayed away from East of Eden. Not that I didn’t think it would be interesting but I had enough of all things biblical. The way you described the novel reminds me of the movie Giant from 1956.
I love your reviews, they always curl you in and here I am adding yet another novel to my TBR 😍
I too usually stay far away from things biblical but Steinbeck has this way of questioning it all that makes it so not preachy. and thank you!! 🤗
As someone who is working on reading more classics, you’ve convinced me to add east of eden to the list! Also, this is a beautifully written review.
thank you so much! I never would have picked it back up without encouragement and I am glad I did - hopefully you will be too, if you do
God, this book is INCREDIBLE. When I read it two years ago, I remember saying to my friend who recommended it that I learned more about the Bible and god and religion from this book than I ever did from almost two decades in Sunday school. Mostly thanks to Cathy, whose straddling of the line between devil and mother is one of the most brilliant wrestlings with the rife inheritances of Eve's daughters -- every single woman, if you ask most of the religious folks I grew up around -- that I've ever read.
I found myself wanting to re-read Paradise Lost after I read this. It's like...Miltonic in its epic scope, and at times Faulknerian in its swift landings of enormous and terrifying ideas.
Martha and I talked about the merits of reading it blind so to speak or trying to brush up on the biblical references before starting - I am poorly educated in that area and we both decided to just go for it, but I would love to hear from someone who has a strong religious background what they thought. It all adds another layer of complexity I am probably only skimming. Terrifying ideas - agreed!
Great review. Got to read this now. Thanks?
welcome? ;)
Excellent piece here, you served the wide scope of Eden so beautifully! Hope to buddy read again in the future, it’s been so fun to see what everyone takes away from the text🙏
truly the only time I feel less alone reading - so much fun 🖤we were lucky to have each other in this one
I loved this Natalie! It’s so hard to try and touch all bases of the scope and range of themes this book tackles, but I think you explored some of the most prominent really well!! I’m glad the shower gave you the clarity you were searching for. Adam hate club forever fr the most useless fictional character I may have ever ever read.
East of Eden being one of my favourite reads of the year was not on my 2024 bucket list lol x
was NOT on mine either lol - I had the best time, let's do it again sometime and maybe more people will join us now that they see how fun it is 👻
The Haunting of Hill House buddy read is DEFROSTING ready for October .. .
defrosting lol HELL YES