I read East of Eden once a year. I've always been obsessed with that story. I actually liked the tv mini series in the 80s because it told Cathy's story and stayed more true to the book. I used to think Cathy was Eve, but I eventually realized she's more like the serpent in the garden. You said you didn't notice that at first, either. I guess he was more subtle with that character. Maybe she's both.
This is a great one to re-read! I'm sure you pick up something new each time. And yeah, even though Steinbeck can be very obvious with his symbolism at times, there are other aspects that are so layered. I started the mini series but I think I only got two hours in. I need to finish it!
I have so many fascinating questions about EOE. Is Charles really the father of Cal and Aron? Did Cyrus, the father of Adam and Charles really steal his fortune? Did Cathy end up loving Aron?
I know it's not actually possible, but I kind of like thinking that Cal is Charle's son and Aron is Adam's. I don't know if Cathy is really capable of love, but I think there was something about Aron that anyone who met him admired so she took a kind of pride in knowing he was hers. With Cyrus, I think seeing how the two sons feel about their dad potentially stealing his fortune is more interesting than finding out the actual truth is The book leaves a number of things up to the reader to decide!
I was looking for your video about East of Eden specifically haha. Honestly I am not surprised you think the book is better. I haven't seen the movie personally, but it seemed logical to assume it was not going to be on the same level as the book. Steinbeck spends a long time making us adopt a specific impression and view of these characters, and so after following these characters for so long, it's so much more impactful seeing what happens to them. Regarding Cathy, I am not surprised her adaptation felt wrong to you since it's pretty hard to mimic a character like that. There is also little time to show all the things said about her in practice such as how she lies and how expertly she can manipulate people. I found Cathy to be an absolutely amazing villain and I was so invested in the chapters about her. The part about Faye was just so emotionally destroying and I hated Cathy so much in those moments which shows how much of a phenomenal writer Steinbeck is. I personally can't imagine not having both Lee and Sam Hamilton in the story as well, but I should probably watch the movie before judging it. East of Eden very quickly became my favourite novel ever, and it's so impressive how the book really fleshes out all the characters and the book has so many amazing scenes and quotes I found myself taking pictures of so many pages, haha. The way Steinbeck captures impressions and states of mind is just mindblowing to me.
Yeah there is no way this book can faithfully be adapted into a two hour movie! I still hope they make it into a mini series again! The one with Jane Seymour is faithful to the book from what I hear and focuses much more on Cathy, but I only watched the first few episodes. I still think the James Dean movie is worth watching, but when comparing it to the book there's just no contest.
James dean did a great job in east of eden along with joan van fleet and julie Harris I absolutely love this film james was a method actor so I do understand why some people had a difficult time working with him paul Newman actually tried out for the role of cal julie Harris was 9 years older than james dean 💝
After first reading it in 2020 I tried watching the movie but only made it about ten minutes for that very reason! I'm glad I finally watched it though
ignore what I say at the 01:50 mark about not thinking it was as profound as intended I have changed my mind!
I just finished this book, so wonderful! Love the parallels you go into here.
Thanks!
I read East of Eden once a year. I've always been obsessed with that story. I actually liked the tv mini series in the 80s because it told Cathy's story and stayed more true to the book. I used to think Cathy was Eve, but I eventually realized she's more like the serpent in the garden. You said you didn't notice that at first, either. I guess he was more subtle with that character. Maybe she's both.
This is a great one to re-read! I'm sure you pick up something new each time. And yeah, even though Steinbeck can be very obvious with his symbolism at times, there are other aspects that are so layered.
I started the mini series but I think I only got two hours in. I need to finish it!
I have so many fascinating questions about EOE. Is Charles really the father of Cal and Aron? Did Cyrus, the father of Adam and Charles really steal his fortune? Did Cathy end up loving Aron?
I know it's not actually possible, but I kind of like thinking that Cal is Charle's son and Aron is Adam's. I don't know if Cathy is really capable of love, but I think there was something about Aron that anyone who met him admired so she took a kind of pride in knowing he was hers. With Cyrus, I think seeing how the two sons feel about their dad potentially stealing his fortune is more interesting than finding out the actual truth is
The book leaves a number of things up to the reader to decide!
I was looking for your video about East of Eden specifically haha.
Honestly I am not surprised you think the book is better. I haven't seen the movie personally, but it seemed logical to assume it was not going to be on the same level as the book. Steinbeck spends a long time making us adopt a specific impression and view of these characters, and so after following these characters for so long, it's so much more impactful seeing what happens to them.
Regarding Cathy, I am not surprised her adaptation felt wrong to you since it's pretty hard to mimic a character like that. There is also little time to show all the things said about her in practice such as how she lies and how expertly she can manipulate people. I found Cathy to be an absolutely amazing villain and I was so invested in the chapters about her. The part about Faye was just so emotionally destroying and I hated Cathy so much in those moments which shows how much of a phenomenal writer Steinbeck is.
I personally can't imagine not having both Lee and Sam Hamilton in the story as well, but I should probably watch the movie before judging it. East of Eden very quickly became my favourite novel ever, and it's so impressive how the book really fleshes out all the characters and the book has so many amazing scenes and quotes I found myself taking pictures of so many pages, haha. The way Steinbeck captures impressions and states of mind is just mindblowing to me.
Yeah there is no way this book can faithfully be adapted into a two hour movie! I still hope they make it into a mini series again! The one with Jane Seymour is faithful to the book from what I hear and focuses much more on Cathy, but I only watched the first few episodes.
I still think the James Dean movie is worth watching, but when comparing it to the book there's just no contest.
@@WhytheBookWins Yes I agree. Where did you watch the series by the way?
East of eden was the first john Steinbeck book that I read and I absolutely enjoyed it the book was one of my favorite reads of 2020
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🙂
It's amazing!
James dean did a great job in east of eden along with joan van fleet and julie Harris I absolutely love this film james was a method actor so I do understand why some people had a difficult time working with him paul Newman actually tried out for the role of cal julie Harris was 9 years older than james dean 💝
As a fan of Paul Newman I would fans loved to see him in this! But James Dean was perfect
A really great book & the movie is a great adaptation. The chemistry between the whole cast is excellent
Agreed!
Hi can you pls tell if is it OK to read the shining as a bigginer to SK
Yes! That's one of my favorites so I think it's a great one to start with
I love East of Eden so much that I've never wanted to watch the movie. I made that mistake with AK by Tolstoy. Great review, though!
After first reading it in 2020 I tried watching the movie but only made it about ten minutes for that very reason! I'm glad I finally watched it though
Don't watch the movie.