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East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Cannonball Read / Brian Prisco

Book Reviews | June 23, 2009 | Comments (18)

I feel bad when we read classic literature pieces on the Cannonball Read, because it seems more or less like an opportunity for English majors to get out their inner Prisco by unleashing wrath about how unlearned the rest of us are in comparison to them and their bookshelves. That’s because we don’t laud the same titles or expound for miles on great books, we’re somehow idiots. The entire purpose of the Cannonball Read was to open our minds to 100 new books. Whether they be tomes of rich greatness, classics, or junk food paperbacks from the airport. It’s not meant to be a goddamn honors thesis, just a few scattered thoughts about the material.

I can’t rightly say what makes John Steinbeck so fucking great. I never had to read him in school, so he wasn’t forced on me by an inept teacher (not that all high school English teachers are inept, but my American lit teacher was fucking wretched and almost spoiled the entire genre for me — yes, ALL American lit) and so I had a chance to enjoy myself with him on my own time. I loved the hell out of Tortilla Flat for no good reason.

And a friend and writer I trust has been pushing this book on me ever since I’ve been trying to make out with her. I’ve owned my copy of East of Eden since 2000, but I finally managed to read it this year. It’s a huge sprawling story set during the early part of the 20th century, covering several branches of the Trask family tree. It contains one of the most brutal femme fatales in literary history in Cathy/Kate, even more so for the complexity of her character. Entire academic careers can be pinioned on the servant Lee. I can’t tell you what it’s about, because the whole point of reading East of Eden is having the story unfold and wrap around you.

I sat down and tried to go over the events of East of Eden to relate them in the review, but I was baffled. It was like taking a warm bath and trying to explain it in a poem. I’ve always felt that way about Steinbeck. I love reading his work, but whenever people ask me why, I have no answer. It’s like trying to describe a color to a blind person. It just is.

This review is part of the Cannonball Read. For more of Brian’s reviews, check out his blog, The World According to Prisco.


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Comments

Yeah, but did you ever make out with her?

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at June 23, 2009 9:13 AM

I am so happy I finished my summer class last night because now I have time to do some pleasure reading. I have about 25 books piled up by me bed, and this is one of them. I started it ages ago, but haven't finished it; I almost don't want to, because it's so beautiful to read. It has a very unhurried feel to it, like it was meant to be read slowly over time. I love to sit outside on a breezy summer day and read it. And you're right, it is difficult to explain why; I can only say that it feels gorgeous when I read it, like sitting under a shady tree in an orchard with the sun shining all around, dappling the shadows, and fresh breezes through flowering trees. It's neither too hot nor too cold, and it's getting late in the afternoon, so the sun is starting to turn everything yellowy-orange, but it's still bright enough to read. It's calm and joyous.

... and I'll be in my bunk. With East of Eden.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at June 23, 2009 9:22 AM

It's my favorite Steinbeck novel, mostly because it's more novel and less sermon than some of his other works (ahem! Grapes).

Part of the joy of reading this is that you can enjoy the beauty of the work while young, because the story is so engaging. If I recall correctly -- and it's been a while since I read the novel so I might have to re-read it soon -- it's far less literary than you'd expect from the name Steinbeck, and far more evening soap, like Dallas or perhaps a nice late 70s TV mini-series, with good and evil and all kinds of fun.

Come to think of it, I will have to read it again soon, if only to play spot-the-metaphor, particularly those I was too young to interpret the first time around.

Posted by: Neodiogenes at June 23, 2009 9:32 AM

Audible gasp when I saw this was being reviewed. I just read it a couple of months ago for the first time and was just awestruck by how sophisticated and modern it was. Lee! What an incredible, fleshed-out, hilarious (and poignant) character. I'd recommend this shit as a beach/vacation book, it's so riveting. Seriously.

Posted by: samantha t at June 23, 2009 9:57 AM

God I hate Steinbeck! I was forced to read East of Eden and The Pearl in High School and it absolutely poisoned me against him. A bad Lit teacher can destroy anybody's appreciation of a particular author.

Posted by: Adam C at June 23, 2009 10:18 AM

I'm so happy this was reviewed! I absolutely love this book; the story is so beautiful and gripping. I too find it difficult to articulate precisely why I love Steinbeck so much, but you summed it up pretty well with, "I love reading his work, but whenever people ask me why, I have no answer. It’s like trying to describe a color to a blind person. It just is."

Great review!

Posted by: eat my shorts at June 23, 2009 10:54 AM

I didn't read the review yet, but this is my favorite book ever and I am so glad Pajiba is reviewing it!!!!

Posted by: dene at June 23, 2009 11:16 AM

I love this book. I never got the big deal about The Grapes of Wrath and thought it was dry, but I loved how the characters in this novel all came to life. Especially in classic literature, it often seems like the heros are so pure and perfect, and I enjoyed that Caleb, the person it was easiest to relate to and be empathetic with, was so very flawed and real. Additionally, I just loved how the same tragedies repeated themselves throughout the generations, and how it all paralleled the Bible (and I'm not religious). Even with Adam's knowledge of the past and in fact analyzing the Bible at one point, he can't prevent himself from making the same mistakes as previous generations.

Posted by: Jen at June 23, 2009 12:01 PM

I love this book! The first time I read it, in my twenties, I pulled an all-nighter to finish it, even though I had work the next day.
I still recall how Kate gave me chills, how Lee warmed my heart, and the many moments which rang true with me. ('Thou mayest' being one of them - if you've read it, you'll remember that).
The story could be pure soap in other hands, it's all in the execution. You're right, Brian, it's not something you can explain.

I must buy another copy, the one I have is not only dog-eared and battered, but boasts a quite ridiculous seventies-style 'Sweet Savage Love' cover! Awful in itself, and all wrong for the book.

Posted by: Tarn at June 23, 2009 12:09 PM

I hate Steinbeck. Hate. Grapes of Wrath is one of the most painful reading experiences of my life, beat only by Les Miserables. I can see why he's so admired, but his writing style is just not my cup of tea. Add to that the horror of being forced to read The Pearl in school and the hatred is huge. Beat only by my hatred for Hemingway.

Posted by: figgy at June 23, 2009 12:26 PM

HELL YES.
It's funny how so many people say this book was ruined for them by a bad teacher. My sophomore year high school English teacher was fucking AMAZING, and I have vivid memories of discussing this book with my classmates. Everyone in the class loved it, not just because it was so damn good, but also because Mrs. Buehler was the funniest, warmest, most entertaining teacher to ever grace my high school.

On a side note, Cathy Ames is the most purely evil character I've ever encountered in literature...and I friggin loved her.

Posted by: sugar booger at June 23, 2009 1:16 PM

This is one of my all time favorite books, and the only Steinbeck I've ever loved. I was never forced to read it (probably why I love it), but it was recommended by my mom. I still have such a wonderful picture in my head. I think it's time for a re read.

Posted by: MissNev at June 23, 2009 4:38 PM

Yeah I was one of those people who had to read it in high school, but I recall it was actually one of my favorite books compared to other garbage we read like The Good Earth. I also actually had one of the 'worst', as in meanest, English teachers in school (he would use a blowhorn next to your ear if you fell asleep in his class), but even he didn't ruin it for me.

I don't know, I think the high school haters probably just found the writing style or the rawness of it a bit jarring at that age. As an adult, I actually enjoyed my rereading of The Red Pony and The Pearl.

Posted by: Vi at June 23, 2009 5:04 PM

Not "Thou Shall Not" or Thou Will Not" but rather "Thou May Not" as is the literal translation. God is granting his children a choice. Brilliant. Even for someone like me who doesn't believe in deities, the approach to this concept, this philosophy, through the memorable characters, their histories, their dialogue, it was extremely riveting and eye-opening. This is not my favorite book, but for that section alone - handled so deftly, a master at work - it deserves praise.

Posted by: Duane at June 23, 2009 5:55 PM

I fucking LOVE this book. I had a horrible English teacher; even she couldn't ruin this book for me.

Posted by: Amanda at June 23, 2009 6:05 PM

it's like daniel craig has a little brother. just for me.

Posted by: gp at June 23, 2009 6:36 PM

Holy shit, Prisco just made me want to read John fucking Steinbeck. You are now officially more powerful than Oprah (at least in regards to my reading list). Congratulations.

Posted by: SaBrina at June 23, 2009 9:59 PM

"I also actually had one of the 'worst', as in meanest, English teachers in school (he would use a blowhorn next to your ear if you fell asleep in his class), but even he didn't ruin it for me."

As a parent, I would now consider this teacher the "best" English teacher. I always loved the meanies, though, as a kid, especially the ones who didn't play favorites. They were equal-opportunity assholes, which I appreciated.

Posted by: samantha t at June 24, 2009 11:04 AM