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A review by maiagaia
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said? Probably very little, if anything at all. I read this for school nearly ten years ago, and I remember loving it. On this reread, I have to say I loved it more. I feel that East of Eden will only get more poignant and thought-provoking the older I get.
Of course it has the depth of metaphor that you'll learn about in any literature class, but even more than that, the characters are so fully formed that my heart ached for them.
I think this was the book that kick-started my love of stories that deal with cyclical behaviors or experiences, the ones that are filled to bursting with character foils and plot foils. I could talk all day about how certain characters or plot points mirror others in this book and how much that bolstered my already great reading experience.
I think it's important to note that Steinbeck has some particular views on the whole nature vs nurture debate that I deeply disagree with. For some, this may ruin the experience because the entirety of the novel is predicated on the idea, and it is only really somewhat undercut at the very end. Of course, that was only my interpretation of the ending, and you may totally disagree with that. Additionally, if you agree with Steinbeck's view of nature vs nurture, this will not bother you at all.
And of course, this was written in the 1950s by a white, straight, cis man, so there are some less than savory undertones surrounding people of different races and of women. There are two characters who are referred to repeatedly by racial slurs, so please be aware of that before going in.
Of course it has the depth of metaphor that you'll learn about in any literature class, but even more than that, the characters are so fully formed that my heart ached for them.
I think this was the book that kick-started my love of stories that deal with cyclical behaviors or experiences, the ones that are filled to bursting with character foils and plot foils. I could talk all day about how certain characters or plot points mirror others in this book and how much that bolstered my already great reading experience.
I think it's important to note that Steinbeck has some particular views on the whole nature vs nurture debate that I deeply disagree with. For some, this may ruin the experience because the entirety of the novel is predicated on the idea, and it is only really somewhat undercut at the very end. Of course, that was only my interpretation of the ending, and you may totally disagree with that. Additionally, if you agree with Steinbeck's view of nature vs nurture, this will not bother you at all.
And of course, this was written in the 1950s by a white, straight, cis man, so there are some less than savory undertones surrounding people of different races and of women. There are two characters who are referred to repeatedly by racial slurs, so please be aware of that before going in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault