Review: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Made “Loving-Lee”

Masterful epic. I started this story hearing that this was supposedly an American classic by John Steinbeck but all I can think is: “No, it’s fine. I just… I just didn’t expect it to be Chinese.” Lee is surely the GOAT of the story. He is the vehicle for the book’s philosophical points, though it is sometimes heavy handed. He’s basically the ultimate bro, as in “If we’re not married by 40 let’s marry each other” type of homie. When people say “a product of its time” it is often a euphemism for obsolete or antiquated practice. But here, I also use it endearingly, it is worthy of being called a classic.

If you were to read it, I want to caution that the first two parts are a bit slow, but its third and fourth parts are wonderful. I teared up at some points and can only commend its many moments of warmth and tragedy. However, the novel has garnered some controversy for including elements some consider “distasteful”. There is racist language and sexual debauchery, but they are more in service to the story, not detriments. There is a Netflix series being developed that will release Fall of 2026, and I look forward towards. I can only hope they adapt it faithfully, with its ugliness and all.

We are sons and daughters of Adam & Eve. From them, sin befell mankind. And Cain slew Abel (out of love and envy), sojourning towards Nod, east of Eden. In Genesis, that story, Cain was told to conquer sin. Maybe as a command or a prophecy, but perhaps most importantly as a choice. And as Lee tells Cal, “Whatever you do, it will be you who do it — not your mother.” And later on “Now that you are not perfect, you can be good.”

We are sojourners in a foreign land. Our time here is fleeting and we suffer for it. We can do evil and succumb to destroying ourselves. The tragedy of it all is that it was always a choice. Yet, it just occurred to me that God, who watches us all, does not watch from afar nor even invisibly. He did not stand to be alien to our failings and sufferings. That He was merciful to Cain. That He himself was there for a time to suffer and comes to us. And that is a comforting thought. Even when we think our suffering is more than we can bear. Oh, Father, have mercy on us. Please, bless us.