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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 (17,841 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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    14,885
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  • Overall
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Great Read!

Love, love, love this story! Steinbeck does an amazing job of telling stories about being human.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow!

I like this one even more than Grapes of Wrath and I really liked Grapes of Wrath!

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Timeless story that I didnt want to end

Everything was perfect about this story. I remember watching the classic movie and the mini series way back, held off on book because of this. The book was wonderful.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Long but very Good

I listened to Grapes of Wrath and enjoyed it so much I decided to try this as well after someone recommended it. I struggle with very long winded authors and this one can definitely seem neverending. The upside is it is a wonderful story and the characters are deep. If you are discovering classics, this is recommended. I enjoyed almost every minute.

Caution, do not watch the movie. Except for a riveting performance by James Dean, there are many differences between the book and film. The film doesn't hold a candle.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredible and stirring book. All of raw human nature explained

A remarkable book that looks plainly in the face of all the good and bad in human nature. There’s so much to take away in our own lives from the book. I found it gripping and stirring from beginning to end.
The reader had me transfixed. Highly recommended.

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East of Eden was a good story, time to watch movie

loved it, very good classic book,wish there would be another book about Cal's life. I would like to watch the movie

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wow.

beautiful. sad. beautiful. so well-written. an absolute classic. couldn't recommend this book enough. very good narrator too.

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Truly a masterpiece

This is a fantastic story, written by a master of letters and read by an outstanding reader. Such a treat.

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Beautiful story

This was a wonderful book full of intrigue love happiness and sadness one of Steinbeck’s best.
Please do not miss this book it’s one that you will not want to ever end
you feel like you’re living the book and walking down the streets of Salinas

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Characters for days

I will never do anything as well as John Steinbeck pens round, chocolatey characters. Be amazed as Steinbeck takes you through old stories already deep in your psyche and tells them in new and soul captivating ways.

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