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Colin Baldwin's Reviews > East of Eden
East of Eden
by
by
One word: Remarkable.
Observations (note, I am deliberately avoiding the word ‘criticism’):
At times, the biblical analogies of Cain and Abel, good vs. evil were weighty, but Steinbeck peels away the layers of society in such an engrossing way that nothing can blemish the craft of his storytelling and character development.
Highlight: Steinbeck created a chilling, complex but, to me, fascinating female character who is unrivalled. Are there hints of misogyny? Maybe. Or just another biblical pretext to show the stark contrast between good and evil?
Regret: This should have been a Goodreads buddy read!
I needed to discuss, debate, marvel, rant, curse, question, clarify, talk, talk and talk about this novel.
Action: Looking forward to checking out more reviews (including the not-so-favourable ones for balance) and will seek out the film of the same name that features James Dean.
Observations (note, I am deliberately avoiding the word ‘criticism’):
At times, the biblical analogies of Cain and Abel, good vs. evil were weighty, but Steinbeck peels away the layers of society in such an engrossing way that nothing can blemish the craft of his storytelling and character development.
Highlight: Steinbeck created a chilling, complex but, to me, fascinating female character who is unrivalled. Are there hints of misogyny? Maybe. Or just another biblical pretext to show the stark contrast between good and evil?
Regret: This should have been a Goodreads buddy read!
I needed to discuss, debate, marvel, rant, curse, question, clarify, talk, talk and talk about this novel.
Action: Looking forward to checking out more reviews (including the not-so-favourable ones for balance) and will seek out the film of the same name that features James Dean.
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Reading Progress
February 6, 2022
– Shelved
February 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 22, 2022
–
Started Reading
November 25, 2022
–
8.23%
"I'm breathless.
Wish I could escape somewhere and just keep reading this novel but life is getting in the way..."
page
51
Wish I could escape somewhere and just keep reading this novel but life is getting in the way..."
November 25, 2022
–
51.0%
November 25, 2022
–
51.0%
"I'm breathless.
Wish I could escape somewhere and just keep reading this novel but life is getting in the way..."
Wish I could escape somewhere and just keep reading this novel but life is getting in the way..."
November 27, 2022
–
Finished Reading
December 20, 2022
– Shelved as:
classics
April 8, 2023
– Shelved as:
maybe-future-re-read
May 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
favorites
Comments Showing 1-41 of 41 (41 new)
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by
Christine
(last edited Nov 29, 2022 02:44AM)
(new)
Feb 09, 2022 12:07PM
It's probably the most readable of Steinbeck's novels (with the exception of "Travels with Charley"). I can also recommend the book "Journal of a Novel" which contains the letters that Steinbeck wrote to his publisher Pascal Covicci (sp?) while he finished writing "East of Eden".
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Glad to see your five stars; it's my favourite of Steinbeck's. I read it almost 30 years ago and Cathy is still the most fascinating female character I've come across in fiction.
Jenna wrote: "Glad to see your five stars; it's my favourite of Steinbeck's. I read it almost 30 years ago and Cathy is still the most fascinating female character I've come across in fiction."I've only just finished it and posted my review, Jenna. Still sitting here pondering this novel - and Cathy! It was just so good. I feel it was a privilege to read it !!
Cheers from CB
Michael wrote: "a favorite passage from the book....https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Thanks Michael, yes a good example of the calibre of this novel, eh?
Cheers from CB
Excellent review! I marveled at this extraordinary book as well. One of my favorites.
Theo wrote: "Excellent review! I marveled at this extraordinary book as well. One of my favorites."Many thanks.
Glad you liked it too, Theo.
Cheers from CB
Fantastic review! I can’t wait to read this book now!
I see what you mean about the biblical stuff, Collin, but overall I think it didn’t bog the novel down. I can always do without any religious references, to be honest, but I also have a feeling that Steinbeck didn’t. Great review.
Great book, I’m glad that I have read some other Steinbeck before this one which helped me to appreciate it more
Justin wrote: "Fantastic review! I can’t wait to read this book now!"Cheers Justin.
Always a bit nervous when I give a raving review that might encourage someone else to read a book, hoping they get to like it - but I think I'll be safe with this one.
CB
Pedro wrote: "I see what you mean about the biblical stuff, Collin, but overall I think it didn’t bog the novel down. I can always do without any religious references, to be honest, but I also have a feeling tha..."Thanks Pedro.
Yeah, was a sign of Steinbeck's time, I reckon.
Cheers from Tassie.
CB
Iluvatar wrote: "Great book, I’m glad that I have read some other Steinbeck before this one which helped me to appreciate it more"Hi Illuvatar.
I read 'Grapes of Wrath' a while ago, but must say, I do think 'East of Eden' tops it! There, I've stuck my neck out now, haven't I?
Cheers from CB
East of Eden is not just Steinbeck best but also you could argue it’s THE American Novel
Iluvatar wrote: "East of Eden is not just Steinbeck best but also you could argue it’s THE American Novel"Yep - I just might have to agree there!
CB
Awesome review Colin. Steinbeck always created memorable characters.
Della B wrote: "Awesome review Colin. Steinbeck always created memorable characters."Thank you, Della, and I agree.
Cheers from CB
Great review. I also loved East of Eden, Colin! I would pair it with Ken Kesey’s Sometimes a Great Notion, although Kesey’s book is not as easy to read. Both are classic American family novels, both taking place on the west coast, both with brothers in conflict. Then I suggest drinking a glass of wine and listening to Kenny Loggins singing This Is It — perfect pairings! With both books, he says, “make no mistake where you are!”
Terry wrote: "Great review. I also loved East of Eden, Colin! I would pair it with Ken Kesey’s Sometimes a Great Notion, although Kesey’s book is not as easy to read. Both are classic American family novels, bot..."Thanks Terry.
Some great recommendations there - cheers, will check them out.
CB
Great review, Colin - 5 stars from me too!! Similarly-rated US fiction from me includes Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, The Son by Philip Meyer and the 'Last Hundred Years' trilogy by Jane Smiley. Happy reading/viewing.
Kim wrote: "Great review, Colin - 5 stars from me too!! Similarly-rated US fiction from me includes Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, The Son by Philip Meyer and the 'Last Hundred Years' trilogy by Jane Smiley...."Thank you Kim, for the praise and the recommendations.
Cheers from Tassie.
CB
Fabulous review, Colin! I second others’ comments re: Sometimes a Great Notion and Lonesome Dove. I’d also add Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose to that list.
Lori wrote: "Fabulous review, Colin! I second others’ comments re: Sometimes a Great Notion and Lonesome Dove. I’d also add Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose to that list."Thanks Lori.
But I must tell you all to 'stop it'. Have you seen how many books are on my 'to read' list - and match that with my age??? haha.
I'll check them all out.
Cheers from CB
Great review, Colin. I need to read Steinbeck. Do you recommend that I start with this? Your review has me wanting to check out the James Dean film too, which I somehow forgot that I have!
Rowan wrote: "Great review, Colin. I need to read Steinbeck. Do you recommend that I start with this? Your review has me wanting to check out the James Dean film too, which I somehow forgot that I have!"Thanks Rowan.
I've only read 'EofE' and 'The Grapes of Wrath', therefore not a Steinbeck expert.
If pushed, I would have to say 'EofE' had more of an impact on me... there, I've said it.
I've watched a couple of reviews and shorts of the James Dean film. Despite it being filmed in the 1950s, it looks great (and based on the last third of the novel). Go for it!
Great new profile pic, by the way.
Cheers from CB
Glad you enjoyed Colin. Excellent review
Margaret M - semi hiatus wrote: "Glad you enjoyed Colin. Excellent review"Thanks heaps, Margaret.
CB
Thanks for this recommendation, Colin. I do love older films, and want to make an effort to read more fiction classics next year. Steinbeck sounds like a good start! And thought it was time I changed my profile pic - had a much needed break over the weekend! :)
Rowan wrote: "Great review, Colin. I need to read Steinbeck. Do you recommend that I start with this? Your review has me wanting to check out the James Dean film too, which I somehow forgot that I have!"Rowan, read the novel first, then watch the James Dean master piece. It's a wonderful movie, but only the tip of the iceberg. The books starts much earlier in the story than the movie.
Also I can highly recommend John Steinbecks autobiographical book "Travels with Charley". When John F. Kennedy was president, Steinbeck drove with his giant poodle Charley in a RV called Rosinante through the US and talked to lots of people to find out what they think of JFK and their country.
Then there is a very interesting autobiographical book on the time when Steinbeck wrote "East of Eden" (parts of it were written on Nantucket Island), I think it's called "Diary of a Novel" and was originally only meant to be read by his agent Pascal Covicci (sp?). I enjoyed it very much.
However, I didn't care for "Of Mice and Men" and even less for "The Grapes of Wrath".
Christine wrote: "Rowan wrote: "Great review, Colin. I need to read Steinbeck. Do you recommend that I start with this? Your review has me wanting to check out the James Dean film too, which I somehow forgot that I ..."Thanks for this, Christine! I'll be sure to read this and watch the film. They both sound quite worthwhile. I'm also glad you recommended "Travels with Charley" as it has been on my to-read list a while. I love the thought of him driving with his dog across the US during that era.
I hadn't heard of "Diary of a Novel" though, but it sounds quite interesting! I appreciate these recommendations.
BTW "Travels with Charley" was filmed for TV way back in the 1960's.
Christine wrote: "Rowan wrote: "Great review, Colin. I need to read Steinbeck. Do you recommend that I start with this? Your review has me wanting to check out the James Dean film too, which I somehow forgot that I ..."Great comments and advice, Christine! Cheers from CB
I'm a Steinbeck fan and this one is up there as one of my favorites. Glad to see you enjoyed it so much, Colin.
Josh wrote: "I'm a Steinbeck fan and this one is up there as one of my favorites. Glad to see you enjoyed it so much, Colin."Yep. Was certainly one of my favourite reads for 2022. The themes and characters of the novel are still following me around....
Cheers Josh.
CB
Love this review, Colin. I’m looking forward to reading it soon.
Lorna wrote: "Love this review, Colin. I’m looking forward to reading it soon."Thanks Lorna. Really hope it grabs you as much as it grabbed me.
Cheers from CB
My favorite Steinbeck novel.
Chris wrote: "My favorite Steinbeck novel."Nice. Good to hear, Chris.
Cheers from CB
Excellent review Colin. Your one word - remarkable sums it up, as well. And I love your need for a buddy read on this one! I wonder myself if I could do that here. I was in a book group for sooooo long...I kinda like my independence now.
BTW, did you ever watch the movie? And if you did, were you satisfied with the result? Sometimes that is a difficult question to answer - book v movie? Most of the time the book always wins - but, you never know!!!! ;) There can be some incredible acting in those movies, too! :)
The movie is only the tip of the iceberg, just the last 200+ pages of the novel (or so). But it left a deep impression on me when I was 14.
I watched it, before I read the book.
Then I tried to read "The Grapes of Wrath"...what a difference! It is so boring and so is the movie.
