East of Eden

My favorite book and the one which cemented Steinbeck as one of if not my favorite writers. To me, even if you agree the writing is overly simplistic, the book remains a masterpiece. I don't see it as simple or elementary or what some folks might derogatorily say is directed towards a wide audience. Instead, I think the writing is meditative, contemplative, and piercing. What some see as slow and basic I see as prose that yawns or stretches, that has an atmospheric quality putting you at ease while immersing you within something epic. And though it may start slowly to an extent, it picks up, and you find yourself attached to every facet of the writing and the story and characters living within or made alive though that writing. To me, what might come off initially as too drawn out or painstakingly put together, is later seen as part of what one might call a literary bricklaying process, one that takes time and care and must be done piece by piece, where every piece is given its due. I think Steinbeck knew this book was important or would be seen as a classic at some point, because he writes like every word is important, as if it comes from some tradition, or is somehow an artifact he's uncovered that gets dusted off one word at a time, as though he's an archaeologist or historian who is bringing some long lost work to the world. This book leaves you with a full heart. Steinbeck gives you wisdom, and imparts his worldly knowledge with the full range of emotionality he is capable of rendering as a fiction writer. Few books rightfully make use of true tragedy and triumph without feeling too heavy or full of itself or stuffy. You never feel like Steinbeck is preaching or lecturing or that he's being overly moralistic or prudish, he takes himself and the book seriously but naturally so, nothing about the book at any level comes off as inauthentic, it never rings false. I think this was the book that made me fall in love with family sagas and those that tell stories occurring over the course of a long period of time. What is perhaps amazing, what perhaps Steinbeck would find predictable or in fact was part of the points made in writing this book, is how relevant it remains, in theme and content. The prose one liners, the dialogue, the storylines, they can all be appreciated and used by the modern reader. I cannot recommend this book enough and hope to reread it soon.

Excellent book, one of my favorites.

I'm thinking of reading this again since last time was in high school.

Though peovoking

Had to go to the internet to discover what the last line meant. Nature vs. Nurture. Can Cal get past his heredity and become a good person? So many unanswered questions. I prefer to have things wrapped up a little better than that.

i cannot believe this book, it’s insane and so humanizing and i loved every second of it