This winter/spring book club has been reading East of Eden - a tale of humanity and its depravity and yet its possibility for good. Have you read East of Eden? What do you know about it?
This has been the most interesting book we’ve discussed because quite honestly not everyone likes the story. As one woman in the group explained - it’s an “earthy” novel; imagine agrarian lives full of turmoil in the early 20th century. The setting is rough and unforgiving, many people have no faith, and those that do seem almost made fun of at times. There’s one character that represents pure evil and causes you to wince while reading. Yet, as another book club attendee said, “that’s a sign of a well-written book, it makes you react.” Reaction isn’t always glee and heartwarming emotion; sometimes you can only let out a murmur of frustration or dislike. It’s still a reaction. The world feels believable and strikes upon an element of humanity, and you can’t help but react.
I’ve had people ask if I’d recommend this book. And I say yes with a question mark. Here are a few thoughts.
There are many good genres of books and often ideal realms in which to read them. East of Eden is not a beach read… as someone from book club quickly realized as she opened the book on a Florida beach. It is a book to sit with, wrestle with, and have a pencil in hand for tracking characters and their defining traits and stories. And it is a book to read with others. Because of it’s challenging moments and evil portrayed, I find it important to process with others. At face-value, it is a rather depressing book at times, but there are moments of grace and glimmers of redemption that are worth digging up with fellow readers.
The world feels believable and strikes upon an element of humanity, and you can’t help but react.
Within the pages we see the battle each individual faces between good & evil and unfortunately evil often triumphing. Yet, how true of a reality that is; a reality that must be faced. I think that is why I’m okay reading the hard parts - sometimes it is good to be reminded of the wrestle within. We’re imperfect, life feels unfair, sometimes we fail to understand who we are called to be and stumble, and we are pulled between good & evil. However, when we recognize the fullness of this reality, we have the opportunity to see grace unfold, mercy nailed to our hearts, and the hope of the knowledge that Good wins. So as you read East of Eden - wrestle, delight in the gifted writing of Steinbeck, ask questions, and ponder what can be gained from a book such as this.
Stay in touch & happy Easter,
Joanna
P.S. I love what this article has to say about East of Eden and why it is a book worth reading and wrestling with. The author goes as far as to claim East of Eden as “the greatest work of literature I’ve ever read!”