This book is chock full of Biblical references and themes about human nature.  It's a great read.

Limp allegory/semi-pop novel. I read this when I was 19 and wasn't impressed. I read it when I was 45 and found it to be junk. This is a very rare instance of the movie being better than the book.

Another great Steinbeck novel. This and The Grapes of Wrath are his best. Anyone who has siblings should read the book.

Steinbeck retells Adam and Eve's story with such brilliance. This is a long novel, but you won't even notice. Once you start, you'll get enchanted and captured and won't be able to put this book down. I read this book for a class and I really enjoyed it.

An outstanding example of Steinbeck's mastery over allegory. As the reader will discover, "Tiamshel- thou mayest" takes on several significances beyond the apparent biblical theme.

This is an incredible piece by Steinbeck. His simple and elegant writing and careful plot development make this a delightful novel. I couldn't put the book down!

What a great mix of love, family and betrayal. Steinbeck is a master of complex characters.

Here is my problem with novels that span generations - and I'm talking all novels - 100 years of solitude, war and peace, corelli's mandolin, house of spirits, etc. I get attached to the characters in the first generation, AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM DIE OFF. Samuel Hamilton was the perfect example in East of Eden. When he died, I kind of lost interest in the book. I just didn't feel like I had the emotional endurance to get attached right away to any of the second generation characters. It's kind of like when you break up with somebody, and you don't necessarily feel like going out with someone else right away...