Readers enjoy the story from the beginning thanks to its inviting descriptions and larger than life characterization.
East of Eden spans three generations and over 70 years, and covers distances from Connecticut to California, and from Florida to Massachusetts. It also describes two different families: The Hamiltons and the Trasks.
The Hamiltons
The Hamiltons migrated to the Salinas Valley in Northern California in the early 1880´s. Coming from the fertile and beautiful Ireland, Samuel Hamilton, and his wife Liza had to settle in a dry and barren land. Over the years Liza gives birth to nine children, each with its unique qualities and gifts.
Although the Hamiltons were rich in love, they were economically poor, since their farm was too dry to produce anything. They survived thanks to Samuel´s numerous skills, which included inventing and fixing things.
Samuel´s children grew up to be very different people. Una was Samuel´s favorite, Tom took care of the farm, and Will was the most affluent. They story is narrated by Samuel´s grandson.
The Trasks
Then there are the Trasks, which the book is mostly focused on.
Charles and Adam Trask were half-brothers brought up a by a strict disciplinarian father who wanted his children to be part of the military. Cyrus Trask had been in the military for a short period of time, and believed that it would teach his sons how to truly be men. But with the years Cyrus saw something in Charles that made him decide to not send him into the military. Charles had a dark soul, and it was best to not unleash what it held inside by sending him to kill men. What Cyrus didn´t know is that Charles had already tried to kill his brother Adam out of jealousy since Adam, although weaker, was Cyrus´ favorite.
Although Adam hated the military he enlisted a second term out of his own accord, in order to avoid going back home.
Once he realized he couldn´t keep running away from his past he went back to the farm to live with Charles; their father had died and left them rich men.
Cathy Ames
Adam and Charles got along well enough until an unexpected visitor came into their lives.
Cathy Ames is a beautiful woman void of a heart or conscience. She appeared on the Trask´s door, bleeding and beating within an inch of her life.
Adam decided to take care of her against Charles´ opposition and better judgement, and ends up falling completely and irrevocably in love.
Charles, on the other hand didn´t trust her. He was able to see the darkness of her soul, maybe because of the darkness of his own. He wants her out.
In Search of The Garden of Eden
Adam, not seeing what his brother was seeing, and believing him jealous once more, marries Cathy. Together they move to the Salinas Valley, where Adam wants to create his own personal Garden of Eden. He never gets to. Instead he is witness to Cathy´s evil plans which leave him almost dead.
Before leaving him, Cathy bears Adam twin sons, and Adam has to find a way to let go of Cathy and become a better man for them.
Steinbeck´s Talent
The best thing about East of Eden are its characters. Steinbeck could see into the souls of men, and pour his insights into his characters, making them extremely interesting and believable , and the books more enjoyable.
(John Steinbeck´s East of Eden was published by Penguin, 2005. ISBN: 0142000655)
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