Reviews

What can I say about East of Eden that hasn't already been said? It's the greatest book I've read. Steinbeck has a way of writing that goes straight into your heart. He describes experiences and feelings everyone can relate to, in a way I've never seen put in words before. There is so much wisdom in this book and I will carry it with me for the rest of my life, returning to the pages when I need guidance and hope.

The scentences "we know him from the insides of ourselves" and "laughter lived on her doorstep" are so simple yet so beautiful they shook me to my core and now live with me daily.

While reading the book I thought Samuel Hamilton and Lee were my favourite characters. While they are great ones for sure, upon reflection my favourite is really Tom Hamilton, the one I relate to the most. "But Tom got into a book, crawled and groveled between the covers, tunneled like a mole among the thoughts, and came up with the book all over his face and hands."

abby27's review

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2.0

Goodness gracious this book dragged. I appreciate that its ending gives the audience hope, as the majority of the story was riddled with the deterministic belief that nothing is in our control. Depicting human nature as inherently cruel in order to reveal some "harsh reality" of the world is always boring to me, so I'm biased in this regard. However, the plot was entertaining and clever at many points, and I enjoyed Steinbeck's exploration of the moral dilemma of forgiveness.

laurenglazier's review

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

laurenreadsoccasionally's review

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5.0

While my step dad was driving me home from a co-op term in Boston we stopped at Walden pond (he's a Thoreau fan). When we were in the cemetery (with a lot of famous authors I guess) we ran into a man with a ton of literature themed pins on his shoulder bag who introduced himself as an adjunct professor in literature. I read this book because he told me to and years later I still think about both the story and the book.

mogoldfarb's review

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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