• East of Eden

  • By: John Steinbeck
  • Narrated by: Richard Poe
  • Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (17,468 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
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Great Read and Listen

This book floored me. Missed reading it in high school and wish I would have come back to it sooner. The characters will have you thinking for days and make you rethink your lifes journey.

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Amazing narrator for my fav book

I read this book years ago & after reading audible reviews decided to listen to it instead of picking up a physical book to reread the story. So happy I did - I was able to hear the emotion & nuance from this narrator & I will def be looking for more books narrated by him. Hands down wonderful performance even with high expectations for my most favorite novel.

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Probably all-time favorite book

Just read it. There are too many gems and life lessons to even appreciate on the first couple reads

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AMAZING EPIC STORY

I must admit at my ripe age of 61, I had never read this classic nor seen the movie by Elia Kazan w/James Dean (I will watch it this week on HBOMax). This book is truly epic in every sense of the word. A sweeping saga that spans 3 generations of the Hamiltons and the Trasks and their travails, successes, loves and losses. It is a reflection of the story of Cain and Abel and well, the garden of eden as well I suppose. The Salinas Valley (where the majority of the book takes place) is a paradise that can also be a hell (in the years that there is no rain). The story is enthralling and even shocking to a reader today. You have to take some of the politcally incorrect terms as a reality in that time (Lee is continuously called a "chink" and there is a prostitute they refer to as the "nigger") but that was the times they were living. The story of Adam and his thwarted love for Cathy (Kate) is so weird but so masterfully told. The characters are vivid and curiously entrancing. There are moments that you will cry and just wonder at how life and love can be so cruel and ironic. I recommend this to anyone who is tired of reading the garbage that is put out today and goes right to the top of the New York Times bestsellers' list. It's like eating a fresh, crispy apple (no pun intended) after so much junk food.

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Long, but satisfyingly so.

I’m so happy to *finally* get around to listening to this classic American novel (I’m 62). Bravo! Richard Poe is a narrator’s narrator. He handled the challenging mix of characters with stunning clarity.

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East of Eden

I found it a little slow at the start. About midway through I knew it was a classic and near the end I found it very difficult to Stapp listening. Throughly enjoyed this beautiful written book and the reader was easy to listen to. Highly recommend reading from me!

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So great!!

Absolutely loved this! Narrator was great! Such an amazing story!! My new all time favorite book!!

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Unforgettable

Each character is part of people we all know in our lives. What an incredible author.

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Top favorite

I’m always asking people what they’re s a favorite book. This is now one of mine. The story lines, the morals taught, the development of the characters all lead to a great read.

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Hooked from the start. Truly a classic & one of Steinbeck’s finest!

Loved the audiobook as Richard Poe kept such life and energy in the reading of the book!

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