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Samra Yusuf's Reviews > East of Eden

East of Eden by John Steinbeck
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really liked it
bookshelves: historical-fiction, fav

Those who are hurt most have the tremendous ability to heal, but what if a bruised heart defies to heal and turns indifferent by the time, what if a hand castoff once never advances again, what if a child lulled fallaciously to sleep never believes in fairies again, what if Cain abandoned God who rejected his sacrifice and preferred Abel over him. God was rejected in exchange and rightly so!

East of Eden might be taken leisurely as the re-telling of biblical tale of original sin, or a family biography , the tone of author in throughout this elephantine volume (took me eternity to wind up) is of a lover who longs for his lost love, Steinbeck’s California is more like a character than the mere setting, it breaths and reeks and bleeds like other characters of the tale, they are prone to trust and betrayed, to love and befooled, fallible figures with all the flaws a perfect human can come with, the wars they wage within themselves on the daily basis does little to crack the outer shell, some are exhausted by the instinctive meanness in them, to be good is an effort sedulous:
Released in September of 1952, the reading public certainly confirmed the merits of Steinbeck’s masterpiece. East of Eden is arguably his most problematic work, an attempt to weave together the history of Steinbeck's family and an invented story that is a modern parallel to that of Cain and Abel, the structural flaws of the story, the intrusive narrative, forced text, lack of unity between the tales of two families the Hamiltons and Trasks, and sheer evil in the form of only female character is what makes us doubt its high merits, but yet it echoes through ages and to this day is not out of print.
We might acclaim this magnum opus of Steinbeck, for its breadth and scope, we eventually come to condemn the seemingly incoherent structure of the tale, the people who populate the story are writhed and broken, rejected and dismayed, abandoned and repudiated, and every one of them is chained in his own hell, pondering over the only one colossal confusion that ever struck human mind, what the potent victor in His rage can else inflict, do I repent, or change, and they are given answer in “thou mayest�
Amid the cacophony of its uneven tone and structure, the tale has never ceased to fascinate our relentless hearts, who identify these characters, know them, and have been them at some point of time, Steinbeck’s characterization of the main antagonist in the text, Cathy Ames Trask. Simultaneously a prostitute and a mother, a masochist and a coward, a manipulator and a loner, Cathy is the catalyst for the plot of the novel. Her actions wreak havoc on the lives of everyone, she is a monster in true sense of the word, and she delights in causing destruction. Cathy’s behavior is indeed diabolical, and she is introduced to us as a congenital monster who has always been evil.

But then, there is this hope a thing with feathers, even inborn monsterity can be placated with words of love, Love the godforsaken epidemic that makes us uniquely vulnerable, the power we give someone to completely mess up with our heart and hurt it in the places, where no other can reach: this fragility and defenselessness makes it a fortress unconquerable, love never aims to achieve anything, nor even love in return, paradise might not exist, might there not be God, as long as we breathe love, the world is a place worth living even for monsters, because all is not lost!
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Quotes Samra Liked

John Steinbeck
“My imagination will get me a passport to hell one day.”
John Steinbeck, East of Eden


Reading Progress

April 1, 2017 – Shelved
May 1, 2017 – Started Reading
May 1, 2017 –
page 100
16.64% "“It would be absurd if we did not understand both angels and devils, since we invented them.�......didn't we???"
June 29, 2017 –
page 343
57.07% "“Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the slow, eating agony of a lie is never lost.�"
August 8, 2017 –
page 346
57.57% ""The gods are fallen and all safety gone. And there is one sure thing about the fall of gods: they do not fall a little; they crash and shatter or sink deeply into green muck. It is a tedious job to build them up again; they never quite shine. And the child's world is never quite whole again. It is an aching kind of growing.�"
August 20, 2017 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-28 of 28 (28 new)

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Samra Yusuf aww Elyse,I'd love to come visit you and museum....
you always put a smile on my face hon!


Parthiban Sekar How is it so far for you?


Samra Yusuf going good....slow paced here on


Samra Yusuf thank you my friend,i wish you take a chance with it sometime!


message 5: by John (new) - added it

John Farebrother Excellent review, I'll have to read it now


Czarny Pies Your knowledge of Christian scriptures is far better than one normally expects from someone from your country. You have brilliantly applied this knowledge to produce an outstanding review of East of Eden.


Samra Yusuf @Czarny Pies
Many thanks Pies for being so kind!
countries my dear,have little to do for one to be knowledgeable of scripture,I am sure you meant good in saying that..:)


message 8: by Vessey (new) - added it

Vessey I was about your age when I read this book, though I doubt it that I would have been able to write such a review! I can't even now. :) I didn't really like it, but I have been meaning to re-read it and see if the older me would be able to see it with new eyes. Thank you! :)


Dolors What a soul-awakening closing paragraph that elevates the meaning of love above the clichés that are so overused around, in and out of literature. I am so glad you have basked in this allegoric work and gotten so close to Steinbeck's all encompassing prose, Sanra. It's been a pleasure to followo your steps with this one!


Samra Yusuf @Dolors
Aww I seem to have actually missed your presence,the time i posted it was just thinking about you..thank you hon,for being a great support!


Samra Yusuf @Vessey
Thank you for your so hearwarming comment here,dear!
I am sure the new eyes will delight in the old prose..:)


message 12: by Paromjit (new)

Paromjit Magnificent Samra :)


message 13: by [deleted user] (new)

please direct me to any link online where i can read all yr material. i cannot begin to tell you how besotted i am with yr voice.


Samra Yusuf @Paulie
I am too pleased to know my voice reached your inner heart,Paulie:)
thank you for the kind words,I don't have any online blog,my reviews are posted here only.


message 15: by Tarinee (new)

Tarinee beautiful review Samra .. that opening and closing paragraph are one of the best I have ever read in a book or review , in any language I speak and read . I am seriously contemplating an option to hide my reviews or updates from you after reading your last few reviews as my updates and reviews seem like an embarrassment in front of rich , poetic language and deep analysis , your reviews presents :D


Samra Yusuf I seem to actually have missed your presence,my friend..........
you are being too kind to think so,I'd love to have more from you,never dare hide..:)


message 17: by Ray (new) - rated it 4 stars

Ray Great review of a superb book. I love the flowing language and enthusiasm that you bring to reviews, keep it up.


Samra Yusuf thank you so much Ray for your kind words!


message 19: by Amanda (new) - added it

Amanda Thank you for your astute critique and wonderfully poetic review, Samra!!


message 20: by [deleted user] (new)

This review is absolutely charming,The effect of your writing is to draw us in and read this book, dear Samra;)


Samra Yusuf :)


Samra Yusuf it wasn't the same without you,dearest!
glad to see you again:)


message 23: by Seemita (new) - added it

Seemita Oh dear! What a paean to Steinbeck's saga! I am awed with the fluidity of your thoughts, Samra. There is such hope in the dawn of your voice and such passion at the dusk of your emotions. And everything in between is a stunning collage of human strengths and frailties. Brava!


Samra Yusuf thank you so much for your heartwarming words,dear Seemita!


message 25: by Waqas (new)

Waqas Jani You seamlessly encompass Steinbeck's utterly real yet fabulistic concoctions, Samra. His Grapes of Wrath blew me away. I look forward to read this. Thanks!


Samra Yusuf ||Swaroop|| wrote: "nice review, Samra!"

thank you dear friend :)


message 27: by Beverly (new)

Beverly It sounds terrible Samra and you are sweet for forgiving Steinbeck and putting a hopeful spin on it. Lovely, lyrical review!😄


message 28: by Mads (new)

Mads Excellent review, Samra


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