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  • East of Eden

  • By: John Steinbeck
  • Narrated by: Richard Poe
  • Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (17,840 ratings)

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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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Profound and beautiful

This book is so beautifully written and offers theological and psychological verities that I will be pondering for a long time. I loved it.

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Fantastic!

Best narration I've ever listened too. Loved this book so much. highly recommend it

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    4 out of 5 stars
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American Saga

Steinbeck classic. Great story. My biggest disappointment is the lack of female characters. Still its one of my very favorite American Classics. Its a commitment to read (chunky monkey of a book) but what a ride!

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Steinbeck Never Disappoints

This was the best audiobook experience I’ve ever had. Brilliant writing, masterful story-telling, perfectly read.

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This is why Steinbeck is one of the best

This is long, but I was glued. Worthy of the listen. It maybe one of my favs.

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Steinbeck, had I known.

I am 70 years old and have started reading all the books I missed early in life. This book grabbed my heart with the warmth of Steinbeck. This filled a void in my soul. Can't describe why it is so great but I loved it from start to finish.

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Masterpiece

Somehow if missed reading East of Eden in high School and college. It recently came to me with the highest recommendation from a friend. It was incredible. I’m sad to have finished it.

I won’t try to summarize it. I will strongly urge anyone to read it. It’s excellent. It contains all of human life. It’s a treasure. Im not being sentimental, just honest.

The narrator or performer is superb. 5 stars across the board.

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Narrated perfectly

I’ve never heard a book narrated so wonderfully. Mr. Poe did a profound service to a classic book that was spellbinding, full of insight and wisdom, and thought-provoking.

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Brilliant novel beautifully narrated

I actually live quite near the Salinas Valley and am embarrassed to admit I had never read this classic. It’s a marvelous novel, made me want to re-investigate Steinbeck, and Richard Poe is a completely stellar narrator. He respects the gravity of the subject matter and yet gives it the simplicity it likewise deserves.

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A masterpiece, both in writing and performance

This is Steinbeck at his strongest. Having lived near Salinas for many years, this book allowed me to experience the local life in a different era. The depth and complexity of the characters, the struggle to find purpose and content, the flaws that make us all human. They are in there, sometimes ugly and in our face, but often hidden in the discourse among the complex figures.

The performance brings it to life in a way that only someone who is deeply invested in a story can do it.

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