Preview
  • East of Eden

  • By: John Steinbeck
  • Narrated by: Richard Poe
  • Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (17,904 ratings)

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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
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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
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    14,936
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    5 out of 5 stars

Phenomenal book!

Would you consider the audio edition of East of Eden to be better than the print version?

I've never read the printed version, but it's hard to imagine it being any better than the audio version. I probably would have slogged through the book over the course of a year or so, but with the audio version I was done in three weeks or so.

What other book might you compare East of Eden to and why?

Not quite sure. Other Steinbeck novels, I guess.

Have you listened to any of Richard Poe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but Poe's performance was magnificent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

East of Eden was like a long-lasting vacation. I didn't want to listen to all of it in one sitting, because it was so wonderful to take it piece by piece over the stretch of a few weeks.

Any additional comments?

This is an outstanding book. It's one that will make you think deeply about choice, sin, family, good and evil. It gave me new insights into religion and agency. It was poignant and touching, and I couldn't stop talking about it. I loved every bit of this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Best story ever, told by an incredible author. Narration was so well done. Thank you.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to enjoy the best kind of family saga. It's as good as the Godfather!

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Why did I think this was a dull book about the dust bowl?? It's AWESOME!

This is my new favorite book! It has everything. I was surprised page after page. **The first few chapters are tough, get through them and enter into Eden. Sooooo great!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Powerful

Probably the best book I've ever read, and I've read many.

A truly American story of generations, examining good and evil, love and forgiveness. If you read only one book, read this one.

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One of the most beautiful books written

This book is a mountain. In my opinion, it’s probably the best or one of the best novels in American literature.

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Remarkable experience

So glad I experienced this wonderful performance of this amazing Steinbeck story. Listened on walks and hikes and was enraptured. There is great darkness in this novel but always a a clear glimpse of the things about humans that the author’s voice loves.

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best book I've ever read

had a love in the darkness how you can hate in the sunlight. this book is not only a classic, but the best book I've ever read

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First time read . . .

. . . and it is truly deserving of being called a 'literary masterpiece.' May well be the best book I've ever read. Unbelievably good.

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oh gosh

This story moved me to tears; I have never felt so close to fictional characters before. By the end of the story, it was as if I was listening to a family member telling me about our family's history. I found myself calling out to Adam not to do as his father did and missed Sampson when Adam needed him too. John Steinbeck, you sir are a genius.

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what a rich book

What a rich book! The type of book that makes you think. If we are comparing books to food (which is what we do??) this would be like cheesecake, I cant live off of it, but I couldn't live without it.

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