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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 (17,842 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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Steinbeck has a way of manipulating the readers emotions

This is a complex story and there are happy moments and sad moments. Kathy is such a sinister an evil villain, perhaps one of the best literary villains I’ve ever read. Lee the Chinese housekeeper is noble and good but also has his faults I don’t want to get to me I don’t wanna get too much into plot summaries because I don’t wanna give away any spoilers. The beginning is a little bit slow while Steinbeck sets up the background of the story, but bear with it because the story as well worth a few chapters of background information. I love how Steinbeck makes such complex characters. He really is a great among American authors

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It’s a classic for a reason

I wish I had the paper back so I could underline and memorize Steinbeck’s phrasing. A masterpiece. Give yourself a gift and read/listen to this book.

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Excellent Narration! Excellent story!

I’ve listened to over a hundred novels. This narrator is among the best. So many characters, yet he is able to capture tone and mood. He is able to depict girl/woman voices without sounding like Mickey Mouse.

I can almost see facial expressions by the richness of Steinbeck’s brilliance.
By the time I was 25% into the book I felt like I knew 5-6 characters personally.

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Steinbeck’s East of Eden is a window into the soul of man.

I feel like an amalgam of the good and bad of all the characters from this book. Steinbeck’s understanding and ability to translate the humanity of man’s triumphs and internal struggle is masterful. Incredible story that touches the soul.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Brilliant Wisdom of Literature

Richard Poe’s reading of this stunning Masterpiece is nonpareil. I am sure my mind consciousness has been recharged, my heart expanded by this amazing book. Thank You, Mr. Steinbeck

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This one will leave you shaking your head….

What a complex story ! Character development was excellent. 4 stars for performance because the narrator tried to emulate different female voices without a lot of success.
There is wisdom , stupidity, evil, goodness, greed , generosity all in this book. Corruption not surprising but disappointing. Slow start but worth sticking it out .

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Exquisite

This is one of the best books I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never loved a character more than I have Lee.

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A pre post modern story

Loved all of it and made me ache for the literary freedom we enjoyed just a few decades ago. Good, evil and the old Hebrew concept of free choice stand at the center of this family saga. A master at work.

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Beautifully narrated - a masterpiece

This is one of the most meaningful books I have ever read, and the narration is masterful. Everyone should read this book in their lifetime.

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A True Classic

Well written and engaging, this is a true classic. The characters are complex and real, and the storyline is still relevant today.

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