• East of Eden

  • By: John Steinbeck
  • Narrated by: Richard Poe
  • Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (17,471 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
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    14,575
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    12,916
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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Speldid book with splendid reading

Remarkable and deep book. The performance is clear,subtle, and brings out the best in the book.

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Classic for a reason

Very good story and great characters. It wasn't what I was expecting (didn't know what the story was about) and it was a nice surprise.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Biblical

A standout performance of one of America's great novels, you really can't go wrong with this one. Highly recommended. #California #SiblingStories #TheBigQuestions #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This book changed my life.

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

The amazing thing about reading is that you feel like you are simultaneously in two worlds at once. Not many novels can achieve this, but East of Eden had me engulfed in a world that I so desperately want to visit. Steinbeck made these characters believable in such a way that if I were to visit Salinas Valley, that I would find it exactly as depicted in the story. It's a masterpiece and changed my way of thinking. Timshel is now engraved in my thought process, and for that I am eternally grateful to John for this book.

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

There is no book comparable to this masterpiece. If you are contemplating buying this book, just do it. Let this be your self indugled purchase. This novel is worth more than any amount of money you could spend to purchase it.

Which character – as performed by Richard Poe – was your favorite?

Samuel Hamilton was my absolute favorite character.

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

I didn't have any profound emotional responses, but I found myself questioning my own life. The characters in this book influenced me in a number of different ways. It's crazy how fictional characters can change your life.

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Stunned I'd never read this before

You talk about a book that will sit with you for a very long time. I was so surprised that I had never read this book before. The characters are so memorable and real. The Biblical reference will have you thinking. Loved, loved, loved this book and the narration.

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Amazing amazing book!

Easily one of the most well written novels I have ever had the joy of coming across... Makes me wish that we had read this much sooner in life! The characters are unique yet resonate with each of us! Loved this book!

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incredible

The reader was fantastic, I couldn't turn it off. Well done all around. Thank you.

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Amazing

Spectacular story, it was very captivating. Excellently performed. The voices of the characters were amazingly consistent.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A VERY ENJOYABLE STORY

Would you consider the audio edition of East of Eden to be better than the print version?

I NEVER READ THE PRINT VERSION. I DID REALLY ENJOY THIS AUDIOBOOK!

What was one of the most memorable moments of East of Eden?

I FOUND KATHERINE TO BE THE MOST INTERESTING. I DON'T HAVE ONE MEMORABLE PART.

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

I DON'T THINK SO.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE IT IS WAY TOO LONG.

Any additional comments?

LEE WAS MY FAVORITE PERSON IN THE BOOK. I WISH THE BOOK DID NOT GO ON AND ON ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT PERTINENT TO THE STORY (THE TRASKS). I WISH THERE WAS MORE ABOUT LEE AS HE WAS A MEMBER UNOFFICIALLY OF THE FAMILY.I INTEND TO GET ANOTHER AUDIOBOOK BY STENBECK.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredible

I have never heard such a telling story of the west at the turn of the century. The story is incredible and the performance is fantastic. I have gained much from this book and my thanks goes out to the heads and minds that have delivered it to me.

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