What am I reading? This is not at all what I thought it would be based on my first partial start years ago and this monolith idea of Steinbeck as an artist. The drama is at 100 and so is the general debauchery.
Notes
- everyone I come across loves this book (or at least they are the ones that make themselves known).
- I am highly impressed by the number of people who read and loved this at a relatively young age. I don't know I would have had the emotional maturity to appreciate this book in an earlier decade.
- Samuel is currently my favorite character, although Cathy is the most interesting. I find myself constantly wondering what Steinbeck's underlying attitude is towards Cathy - are we looking at misogyny or something else? She sure as hell goes after what she wants, evil or not. Is she ruinous, or is man just weak?
I think Steinbeck wanted to read her as ruinous but I think today is reads as Adam, and the other men, are weak. I think that’s because of the cultural atmosphere that I have read the book today in. I think there is also an element of Adams weakness that Steinbeck does explore, in the sense that Adam monumentally fails to see Cathy as who she truly is. She tries to tell him! And he won’t listen! What does that say about what Steinbeck could have been trying to explore re men’s tendency to project onto women and not see themselves as beings with agency and power?
That is so true! When Cathy says I am leaving the minute these babies pop out and he's like hahah oh stop - she really did try to tell him. I am finally at the point in the novel when Adam sees Cathy clearly and that was so significant and sad for both of them.
Heh, I came here to say the same thing about Cathy! These Steinbeck men loooooove to project an ideal onto a woman, even when they directly say things like "I don't want to move cross-country with you and will absolutely leave you."
To kinda out myself as being ignorant, I only read Steinbeck excerpts in school -- this was my first time reading a work of his cover-to-cover. So i didn't really know where his interests lie, what kind of themes he likes to bring in, anything like that. I was truly floored by the melodrama and debauchery! I expected the lengthy descriptions and philosophizing but the whole thing was way more fun and juicy than i expected.
Steinbeck brings up images of the depression, dust bowls, guilt (for not having read him) and that Migrant Mother photo (https://www.thoughtco.com/great-depression-pictures-1779916). East of Eden makes me think of Christianity, family, farming, classic literature, high school literature, rugged individualism, and for some reason Ayn Rand? Please don't report me.
As someone named Abra whose mother is a Cathy and who can’t stand allegory— I approve of this message. But also, it’s a classic. You can do hard (possibly depressing, potentially obsolete ) things. Avoid the FBI (Fusty Book Intelligentsia)— no guilt, you got this!
Dropping in to share some gratitude -- started way early on this one bc i didn't trust my ability to keep pace with everyone lol.
i don't think i would've abandoned this book for its length, bc it is truly an excellent read, but mustering up the courage to start wouldn't have happened without external encouragement. cheers, and looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
ahh that is just awesome!! that was exactly the goal and even if its just you me and Martha it will all be worth it. going to share some more thoughts here soon
Less East of Eden and more Steinbeck: but I had to read The Grapes of Wrath as a sophomore in high school and...didn't think it was that great. In fact I think the switching stories conceit is more than a little overrated. I did like Mice and Men, so I'm not just saying this to be a hater. Maybe I'd find Grapes of Wrath differently as a re-read as an adult, but why do that when there are so many other good books to read? So that's what comes to mind immediately though is the whole WE GET IT. THE TURTLE IS EARTH, GODDAMIT.
this is hilarious because in high school I, along with three other students who must have been good at English class, were asked to read The Grapes of Wrath ON OUR OWN and then leave school to attend some event at the public library. Me being the people pleaser I am said yes and then promptly failed to read the book and hid the day I was supposed to attend the event. I still feel bad about that but shows my lifelong aversion to book clubs lol
Omg this is amazing. I have long failed at book clubs mainly because I’m not good on reading things on anyone’s timeline but my own. All in all I think you made the correct choice
OMG I just found this post and I *love* this novel. Something changed in me the summer I read this novel. It was my first choice after graduating and I was nervous but I ended up sinking down into it and I haven't forgotten it since. (also like omg Cathy.)
I read this a couple years ago in a "should I read more classics to be sophisticated??" moment. I'll always associate it with the actual physical book I read, which was a yellowed, trade paperback copy that was my mom's from high school! It had a few meaningless margin notes in it and the cover was falling off but somehow that felt perfect for the vibe. Long live teeny dense crumbly paperbacks.
ah I love that so much. Mike at books on gif always tells the tale of where he gets his physical copies that he reviews and its sometimes the best part to see where a book has maybe come from. The real question is though - did you like it??
I did! It was a much more accessible read than I expected. I love reading about the land, family sagas, etc - it checked a lot of boxes for me. I probably won't reread but I'm excited to follow along, and maybe get inspired to pick up Grapes of Wrath finally!
UPDATES ON EAST OF EDEN (6/14/24).
What am I reading? This is not at all what I thought it would be based on my first partial start years ago and this monolith idea of Steinbeck as an artist. The drama is at 100 and so is the general debauchery.
Notes
- everyone I come across loves this book (or at least they are the ones that make themselves known).
- I am highly impressed by the number of people who read and loved this at a relatively young age. I don't know I would have had the emotional maturity to appreciate this book in an earlier decade.
- Samuel is currently my favorite character, although Cathy is the most interesting. I find myself constantly wondering what Steinbeck's underlying attitude is towards Cathy - are we looking at misogyny or something else? She sure as hell goes after what she wants, evil or not. Is she ruinous, or is man just weak?
I think Steinbeck wanted to read her as ruinous but I think today is reads as Adam, and the other men, are weak. I think that’s because of the cultural atmosphere that I have read the book today in. I think there is also an element of Adams weakness that Steinbeck does explore, in the sense that Adam monumentally fails to see Cathy as who she truly is. She tries to tell him! And he won’t listen! What does that say about what Steinbeck could have been trying to explore re men’s tendency to project onto women and not see themselves as beings with agency and power?
That is so true! When Cathy says I am leaving the minute these babies pop out and he's like hahah oh stop - she really did try to tell him. I am finally at the point in the novel when Adam sees Cathy clearly and that was so significant and sad for both of them.
Heh, I came here to say the same thing about Cathy! These Steinbeck men loooooove to project an ideal onto a woman, even when they directly say things like "I don't want to move cross-country with you and will absolutely leave you."
To kinda out myself as being ignorant, I only read Steinbeck excerpts in school -- this was my first time reading a work of his cover-to-cover. So i didn't really know where his interests lie, what kind of themes he likes to bring in, anything like that. I was truly floored by the melodrama and debauchery! I expected the lengthy descriptions and philosophizing but the whole thing was way more fun and juicy than i expected.
fully agree!! I thought it was going to be stodgy old farming stuff
I also loved the melodrama! I am so into reading something else from him - he loves the drama. And I love the juice.
If u could believe it i found a copy of Of Mice & Men in a little free library the day after i finished Eden !!
Fate said "don't be shy, read more Steinbeck"
Omg! I have ALSO never read Of Mice and Men!!! I’ll keep an eye out for it too. Fate said read more melodrama!!! You have to listen to her
Cathy saying ‘I don’t want to move I will leave you’ and Adam still being shocked she shot and left him is soooooo funny. Steinbeck the comedian baby!
Steinbeck brings up images of the depression, dust bowls, guilt (for not having read him) and that Migrant Mother photo (https://www.thoughtco.com/great-depression-pictures-1779916). East of Eden makes me think of Christianity, family, farming, classic literature, high school literature, rugged individualism, and for some reason Ayn Rand? Please don't report me.
As someone named Abra whose mother is a Cathy and who can’t stand allegory— I approve of this message. But also, it’s a classic. You can do hard (possibly depressing, potentially obsolete ) things. Avoid the FBI (Fusty Book Intelligentsia)— no guilt, you got this!
I missed this comment somehow - we can do hard things!!
I’m glad it is going so well for you this time! But if it hadn’t I am also glad you know it’s okay to move on.
Dropping in to share some gratitude -- started way early on this one bc i didn't trust my ability to keep pace with everyone lol.
i don't think i would've abandoned this book for its length, bc it is truly an excellent read, but mustering up the courage to start wouldn't have happened without external encouragement. cheers, and looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
ahh that is just awesome!! that was exactly the goal and even if its just you me and Martha it will all be worth it. going to share some more thoughts here soon
Less East of Eden and more Steinbeck: but I had to read The Grapes of Wrath as a sophomore in high school and...didn't think it was that great. In fact I think the switching stories conceit is more than a little overrated. I did like Mice and Men, so I'm not just saying this to be a hater. Maybe I'd find Grapes of Wrath differently as a re-read as an adult, but why do that when there are so many other good books to read? So that's what comes to mind immediately though is the whole WE GET IT. THE TURTLE IS EARTH, GODDAMIT.
this is hilarious because in high school I, along with three other students who must have been good at English class, were asked to read The Grapes of Wrath ON OUR OWN and then leave school to attend some event at the public library. Me being the people pleaser I am said yes and then promptly failed to read the book and hid the day I was supposed to attend the event. I still feel bad about that but shows my lifelong aversion to book clubs lol
Omg this is amazing. I have long failed at book clubs mainly because I’m not good on reading things on anyone’s timeline but my own. All in all I think you made the correct choice
Ok no associations yet I’m on page 12 but loving the descriptive imagery!
What I wanted to comment was this:
Old East of Eden reading environment: 🥲☹️👺😾🖕🧌⛈️🆘🤬😡😔
New East of Eden reading environment: 💝💞🍬💋🥰😊☺️😋🤗😻🧚🏻♂️💏🌷🌈✨☀️🎇🧸🩷❤️💛🧡💚💙💜🩵🤍
I would MUCH rather read this book virtually with you and all the Subversians than be anywhere near the other guy lol
OMG I just found this post and I *love* this novel. Something changed in me the summer I read this novel. It was my first choice after graduating and I was nervous but I ended up sinking down into it and I haven't forgotten it since. (also like omg Cathy.)
It is changing my *DNA* right now as we speak - CATHY!
I read this a couple years ago in a "should I read more classics to be sophisticated??" moment. I'll always associate it with the actual physical book I read, which was a yellowed, trade paperback copy that was my mom's from high school! It had a few meaningless margin notes in it and the cover was falling off but somehow that felt perfect for the vibe. Long live teeny dense crumbly paperbacks.
ah I love that so much. Mike at books on gif always tells the tale of where he gets his physical copies that he reviews and its sometimes the best part to see where a book has maybe come from. The real question is though - did you like it??
I did! It was a much more accessible read than I expected. I love reading about the land, family sagas, etc - it checked a lot of boxes for me. I probably won't reread but I'm excited to follow along, and maybe get inspired to pick up Grapes of Wrath finally!
thats just what Martha was saying to me this morning, that it was an approachable classic. thats good news