East of EdenEast of Eden
Score Classic
What it's about
In California's Salinas Valley, from the Civil War to World War I, Steinbeck follows two families: his own ancestors, the large, warm Hamilton clan led by the inventive Samuel, and the troubled Trasks. Adam Trask builds a life in the valley with a beautiful woman who is not what she seems, and his twin sons Cal and Aron grow up repeating the story of Cain and Abel, struggling with their father's love and the question of whether we're free to choose who we become.
Why it's worth reading
Steinbeck called it his masterpiece, and many readers agree: a big, generous, gripping family saga with one of literature's great villains and a profoundly hopeful idea at its heart. Many people call it their favorite novel.
You'll love it if you liked
The Grapes of Wrath
Lonesome Dove
The GodfatherGood to know
It's about 600 pages and moves between the two families and across decades. Cathy's chapters are dark, with violence and sexual cruelty.
By the numbers
- Readers99 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller82 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #13 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #29 of the 762 classics we rank
- #107 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath
Travels with Charley
Sweet Thursday
Of Mice and MenIf you like this, read next
War and Peace
Augustus
Beloved
The Souls of Black Folk
The Idiot
The Master and MargaritaExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is East of Eden worth reading?
Yes. Steinbeck called it his masterpiece, and many readers agree: a big, generous, gripping family saga with one of literature's great villains and a profoundly hopeful idea at its heart. It ranks #107 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 86.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is East of Eden about?
In California's Salinas Valley, from the Civil War to World War I, Steinbeck follows two families: his own ancestors, the large, warm Hamilton clan led by the inventive Samuel, and the troubled Trasks. Adam Trask builds a life in the valley with a beautiful woman who is not what she seems, and his twin sons Cal and Aron grow up repeating the story of Cain and Abel, struggling with their father's love and the question of whether we're free to choose who we become.
How long does it take to read East of Eden?
About 15 hours (601 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after East of Eden?
If you liked it, try The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry or The Godfather by Mario Puzo.