East of Eden

By: John Steinbeck

Narrated by: Richard Poe

Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins

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)

Narrator is Phenomenal

I really like this book. Steinbeck is my favorite author. This and Cannery Row is American literature at its finest.

Must read.

Captivating. Heartwarming. Thought provoking. A masterpiece. I will read it again. Take time to savour and ponder every chapter.

A Classic

John Steinbecks tribute to the Cain and Able story from the bible! the question is who had the better life, Allen or Charles? Will Cal have a peaceful rest of his life?

Excruciatingly beautiful

I've read this book a number of times, but not for many years. The audiobook is nothing short of a masterpiece, the narration is flawless and the story.... It feels likes I've properly heard and understood it only now. Mesmerising.

Classic

One of my favorite books, which I have read several times.
I’m not certain that the theme can be fully appreciated in audio form if you haven’t read the book yourself.
I wasn’t impressed with the narrator at first but decided he actually did an excellent job, especially with Samuel, Cal, and Lee.
Read the book, then listen carefully.
It is truly a great story, beautifully written, and now beautifully spoken.

I will cherish this experience my whole life

I love this book. If it were a physical book, I would give it a big hug. For several months, it has been my friend. I have looked forward to listening to it on my commutes like one looks forward to watching their favorite show. The characters and themes are so powerful and it’s presented in a way that grabs your attention and keeps you entertained the whole time. Also, the reader was second to none! He fit the style of the book flawlessly. If you’re looking for something to fill your soul, please give this one a chance.

A fine performance of amazing novel

Not that you can go wrong with Cannery Row or The Grapes of Wrath, but East of Eden is Steinbeck's finest work . This is a well narrated audio book version of a novel that captures the many struggles of human nature, set against the backdrop of a California passing out of the frontier days of the 19th century into the modernity of the 20th.

Stunning Imagery, Unforgettable Characters!

This classic is astonishing for its depth of characters and their development. It's ancient moral questions that still confound our human souls. It leaves one haunted by the simple, yet profound, knowledge that it is within us the power, and our command, to choose between good and evil.

Best to Buddy Read This Tall Tale

4 stars for this classic. Whew! This is a LONG book. And, it was good, but I am not sure I would say it was great. My bestie and I wanted to do a buddy read and thought that was the best option for this classic that clocks in at over 25 hours! And that is probably the best way to tackle this beast of a book. The character development is, of course, really well done. But there are a LOT of characters. I was so confused in the beginning after taking a short break that I had to start over. Then I decided to write down a diagram of the characters. You honestly don't need all that. Just go with it. The main characters eventually become well known to you and you will remember the important details. It is very obvious his book was written during a time when racial slurs got passed around like water at a track meet, but it still made me cringe. I think the best parts of this book were the vivid descriptions of the Salinas Valley. Good luck!

A Classic

Spectacular narration and I had forgotten the talent of Steinbeck. The characters were friends for almost three weeks. I will miss their individual journeys and the life lessons Steinbeck explores. Timshel.