“Humans are caught—in their lives, in their thoughts, in their hungers and ambitions, in their avarice and cruelty, and in their kindness and generosity too—in a net of good and evil.” 

 

After reading this for the first time in high school, I maintained EAST OF EDEN was one of my favorite books of all time. Revisiting it now, I think that statement holds up. 

 

There’s a lot to criticize about Steinbeck’s work—his casual racism, ableism, misogyny… All inexcusable and worthy of critique. But there’s also a lot of beauty in this book. Steinbeck weaves generations of families and neighbors together (in sometimes autobiographical fashion) to demonstrate the joys and flaws of human nature, the ways we impact one another and the fates we can either embrace or avoid. 

 

The voice of the novel moves from contemplative to critical to wryly funny. It’s definitely gradual and character-driven, and some people might hate the way the story inches forward, jumps ahead to seemingly random vignettes, and stops abruptly to examine minute details at times. But, (shy of the first chapter, which I have long described as a slog) I found the pacing to be interesting, propelling me along the story of Adam and Charles, Cal and Aron’s lives. 

 

My book is full of tabs, sticky notes, highlights and margin scribbles, and I’m sure I’ll only add more upon an inevitable reread in another few years. Steinbeck gives us a lot to think about with this book, and for that reason, I am grateful for its place in the classic literary canon.