By: Izabella Engelbrink
East of Eden by John Steinbeck is a beautiful masterpiece that sticks with readers for a lifetime. Steinbeck’s writing is unparalleled; to read East of Eden is like being read a bedtime story. It is impossible for readers to not be changed by the sanctity of Steinbecks’ writing, and the perfectly crafted story of good and evil and the meaning of life.
Steinbeck retells the biblical stories of Cain and Abel and the exile of Adam and Eve, with the various characters of the Trask family. The novel primarily focuses on the multi-generational family saga of Adam Trask. Following his move to Salians Valley California in the early 20th century, where Adam buys a farm and eventually meets the Hamilton family.
Before his move, quite some time is spent developing the Trask’s family background. Focusing on the difficult relationship between Adam and his father, and the hateful bitter relationship between Adam and his younger brother Charles; which serves as an allegory for Cain and Abel.
After a series of unfortunate event’s Adam meets Cathy (who later goes by Kate when running a whorehouse), who is the embodiment of evil, or the characterization of Eve’s betrayal in the story of Adam and Eve. Adam and Cathy have two sons, Aron and Caleb, who then repeat the allegorical story of Cain and Able, like their father Adam and his brother Charles.
Steinbeck brilliantly ties the fictional story of the Trask family with his own family history when Samuel Hamilton (Steinbecks grandfather) aids Adam Trask in finding water sources for his farm. Steinbeck writes about the Hamiltons like sonnets of poetry; the family serves as a moral backbone, or the “good” in good vs evil. Readers feel every ounce of love and admiration for his family. Similar to the Trask family. Steinbeck spends a great deal of time introducing readers to the large Hamilton family.
While reading you will feel the paternal love of Samuel Hamilton as if he is talking directly to you. Steinbeck writes about the Hamilton family with extreme gentleness and care. It is equal to looking at old family photos, deeply nostalgic and bittersweet; it will leave readers drying their eyes.
East of Eden is a bigger read, about 601 pages. However, it is a significant amount for the brilliant story to be created. Outside of the Trask and Hamiltons, readers uncomfortably spend time with Adam’s wife Cathy Ames, who is a depiction of evil. The Trasks housekeeper Lee is extremely intelligent and philosophical. Cal Trask and Aron Trask, as the navigate their tumultuous relationship as brother. As well as the many Hamilton children, and at times even John Steinbeck writes about himself, writing of memories of his family from childhood.
Steinbecks other works like The Grapes of Wrath or Of Mice and Men is usually Steinbecks most recognized writing. However, if would not be wrong to consider East of Eden Steinbecks magnum opus of storytelling; it is simply beautiful every page you turn. For readers who love to be deeply changed by their reading, or to deconstruct and analyze hidden meanings and allegories, then East of Eden by John Steinbeck is a deeply impactful choice.
