I was completely absorbed, mesmerized and fascinated by this book. Steinbeck has such a genius for realism. I was very impressed with Steinback's "Grapes of Wrath" when I read it for the first time last year. And "East of Eden" surpassed my expectations as well. It is tragic, moving, inspiring and philosophical. It is sincere without being sentimental. I would almost call it transcendent but the core of the book is so no-nonsense and so utterly American that I hesitate to use that term. Steinbeck imbues these characters with all of the contradictions and opposites found in life. The outcomes of the lives of some of the characters often surprised me. Whether they were good or evil--I was able to relate, identify and feel compassion for most of its carefully delineated characters. Steinbeck elucidated the gray area of their inner lives with meticulous detail. The people of this book are thinking people. They ponder, they wonder, they ruminate. They are always questioning. They struggle to maintain a balance between good and evil within themselves; they struggle with the torment of their souls. And most of them try to love each other as best as they can.

The saga starts in the era of the Civil War, continues through the time of the robber barons and the adventurous pioneers who have come out to the Wild West to make their fortunes, resolving itself in the era of World War I. Kate Trask (Cathy Ames) is the undeniable "villainesse" of the book--At first I viewed her character as an outright psychopath. She is completely amoral; definitely a hustler; a gangster from a film noir picture; a criminal genius who manages to commit atrocious deeds, all the while evading prison or punishment. Though ultimately she can't evade the conscience that she tries in vain to deny that she has. The corrupting influence of money is a major theme of this book. Kate Trask deserts her husband to become the madame of a whorehouse. Out of guilt, Kate leaves her fortune to her son Aron Trask. who is traumatized upon being introduced to her by his brother Caleb (Cal) for the first time as a seventeen year old [to escape it's ugliness, Aron Trask imagines the world as being very pure]. Cyrus Trask makes a fortune whose legality is questionable. Cyrus leaves this fortune to his son Adam who essentially becomes a "fine upstanding citizen". Cal Trask earns $15,000 selling beans, to make up for his father Adam's losing "lettuce venture", and then burns the money when his father won't accept it--He tries to buy his father's love and fails. However--Adam's refusal of Cal's generous offer is also a tragic mistake that leads to this novel's dénouement.

Samuel Hamilton and Trask family housekeeper / confidant Lee act as this novel's philosophers. They are both great thinkers; yet both are down to earth and lacking in ego. The supporting characters / minor players of the novel are compelling as well. Tom Hamilton has the capability for greatness and yet struggles with self-doubt over his intellectual and creative worth. Dessie Hamilton is a warm, laughing character who brings happiness to the lives of everyone around her. But after selling her business and moving back to the ranch that was her childhood home -- She is suddenly afflicted by sharp, shooting pains and shortly thereafter dies of an unnamed terminal illness. As happens in real life -- Fate determines how much time these characters will be allotted for their respective existences. In 'East of Eden" -- Too much good in life is usually followed by too much bad. In the same way that the drought years follow the wet years of the Salinas Valley ..... In closing -- The 1955 film version of "East of Eden" pales in comparison to this novel. In fact the film "East of Eden" only manages to cover about the last 200 pages of the novel. I would not recommend the film; it is pastel, cardboard stand-in, supremely abridged and modified version of this book. The film also makes major compromises to the conservative mores of the 1950s. It would probably take 3 films, lasting at least 2 hours each, to do justice to the brilliance of the novel.
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I loved this book. I only read it as a respected friend recommended it for one of my book clubs.
Fascinating descriptions of people, places, events, and the process of making of life's decisions. ( )

I read most of Steinbeck for the plot, and probably missed much. ( )

All of the characters were so vivid and engaging, with the exception of Aron. He was completely flat to me, no depth or complexity at all, and this was especially glaring because of the impeccable job Steinbeck did with every single other character. So does one flaw ruin a book? No way! It's still a hell of a good book, and I'd recommend it to anyone. When the time comes, just gloss over the Aron stuff and focus on Cal. ( )

Non so perché non l'abbia letto prima. Anzi lo so, pensavo fosse una lettura difficile... ho sempre sentito che Steinbeck era un maestro, i suoi libri pietre miliari e capostipiti della letteratura americana. Insomma, avevo una fifa blu... Questo libro lascia col fiato sospeso, come i romanzi di intrattenimento, ha una trama che avvince e coinvolge, la lettura è scorrevole, eppure non è un romanzo di intrattenimento, ritrae l'umanità come possono aver fatto Shakespeare o Jane Austen. Mi piace soprattutto il modo di entrare nel racconto, di centrare il punto partendo dal contesto, l'ho trovato cinematografico. Ecco forse il finale non l'ho trovato all'altezza, ma come si sarebbe potuta concludere meglio una storia così?
720 pagine che si leggono in un soffio... dovrebbe essere una lettura obbligatoria, un po' come Frankenstein ( )