• East of Eden

  • By: John Steinbeck
  • Narrated by: Richard Poe
  • Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (17,421 ratings)

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East of Eden  By  cover art

East of Eden

By: John Steinbeck
Narrated by: Richard Poe
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Publisher's summary

This sprawling and often brutal novel, set in the rich farmlands of California's Salinas Valley, follows the intertwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.

©1952 John Steinbeck; Renewed 1980 Elaine Steinbeck, Thom Steinbeck, and John Steinbeck IV (P)2011 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A novel planned on the grandest possible scale...One of those occasions when a writer has aimed high and then summoned every ounce of energy, talent, seriousness, and passion of which he was capable.... It is an entirely interesting and impressive book." (The New York Herald Tribune)

"A fantasia and myth...a strange and original work of art." (The New York Times Book Review)

"A moving, crying pageant with wilderness strengths." (Carl Sandburg)

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What listeners say about East of Eden

Average customer ratings
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Excellent

My favorite narrator ever never disappoints! I can see where Cormac McCarthy was influenced. Great listen!

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Exceptional book!

such a fabulous listen! This book is why I love AUDIBLE books! Buy the book!

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A true American classic

This book is phenomenal. I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants to see a shining example of American literature.

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Wow what a novel!!

Might be the best written and narrated novel Ive ever listened to. GET THIS BOOK, you wont be sorry.

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Perfect

Perfectly read for a perfect book. Best audiobook I've listened to. Voices and rhythm were wonderful.

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"Love" is not strong enough a word...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I always knew I loved "Of Mice and Men" but this is just so smart and so well executed by the author. East of Eden has so many layers and it's so fascinating to pull back one and then delve into the next. What I mean, is I learned so much about myself, who I am, who I want to be, and the people around me. This book has added more meaning to my life. I also very much enjoyed the voice artist, Richard Poe, the way he subtly, as if not even trying, slips into the different roles and voices for different characters. It's not distracting as it sometimes is. THANK YOU, Audible for recommending this for me!!

What other book might you compare East of Eden to and why?

Les Miserables - because of the major impact on me. Also, the theme of lack of acceptance and overcoming

Which scene was your favorite?

Not really a scene, because the story was so interwoven throughout... But I loved the character developement.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. When Caleb tries to convince Abbra he is no good, but she accepts him and says she has her dad in her too just like he has his mom.

Any additional comments?

There is a lot of racist jargon, that is off-putting, but it suits the story.

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Favorite Book served justice

What made the experience of listening to East of Eden the most enjoyable?

This is one of my favorite books, and Richard Poe did an excellent job of narrating this story.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the truths emanating from the entire novel. I re-experienced this novel for the second time after 6 years, and was enthralled once more. Plus Timshel. I love how this book showcases the forces of good and evil and illustrates that it's not all one or the other necessarily.

Have you listened to any of Richard Poe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first, great!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I mean, Cathy/Cate...difficult to not have an extreme reaction to her.

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A Beautiful Epic of Heartbreak and Redemption

East of Eden is a tale that, if truly understood, will leave you with nothing but a security in your convictions. It will leave you with memories of people to great or to horrible to accept as as part of yourself and yet they will assimilate into your being. Steinbeck is a scribe of the soul and nothing less.

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It is everything.

When I began this one, I knew many people viewed it highly. What I didn't know was that it would alter me. I found myself wanting to continue listening, no matter what I was doing, which happens, but not like this. I was engaging in a conversation that was held before me, yet alluded to far beyond me. The epic narrative has changed my perspective on words as a whole. As an English teacher, grandson, friend, son, and father - I am moved. I will carry the idea presented in the quote that "By whipping himself he protected himself against whipping by someone else." I see that clearly.

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Yes.

This is a great book. I would highly recommend it. The characters are relatable and timeless, as they struggle through their own Humanity. A classic.

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