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East of Eden Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of East of Eden


It tells the story of a boy becoming a man as he overcomes the jealousy of his brother and realizes self-worth. He also discovers that everyone posseses good and evil, including his mother who he has been lied to about all of his life.
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The review of this Book prepared by Jasmine Rodriguez




An epic story of at least two generations of two families -- a deteriorating New England family and a set of Irish immigrants -- is set in California's rich Salinas Valley among a cast of Chinese, Mexicans, and "working girls." Steinbeck portrays the struggle of good and evil in siblings, spouses, and within individual characters; the theme of Cain versus Abel reappears in different settings and time periods from 1865 to 1918. (The fine 1955 movie starring James Dean relates only the last third to half of this sprawling tale, omitting the childhoods and early marriage of his character's parents.) Besides the rollicking tale with a "bad seed woman" near its center, Steinbeck provides a historical backdrop that includes the fortunes of different waves of immigrants to California, the appearance of various inventions (a Ford, a new windmill, an attempt to ship lettuce in icebox train cars), food profiteering in wartime, and organized prostitution across the West.
The review of this Book prepared by David Loftus




This is a wonderful saga of one family over the course of many years. It is inspiring and uplifting, and deals with the human spirit. I recomemend this book to anyone and everyone.
The review of this Book prepared by Limor



Chapter Analysis of East of Eden

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   1900-1920's Family, struggle with    -   Yes Struggle with:    -   Mother (or standin) Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Gender    -   Male

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   8 () Farm/Ranch?    -   Yes Farm/Ranch:    -   farm

Writing Style

Sex in book?    -   Yes Amount of dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like East of Eden

John Steinbeck Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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