"East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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Country: USA
Written in: 1953
Pages: 640

John Steinbeck's magnum opus follows 2 families through a description of what Steinbeck is best known for: his detailed narrative of American drama. This book has been recommended numerous times by our members. Since it's a hefty one, give yourself plenty of time to read it!

A review from Luke's Books:
East of Eden by John Steinbeck is an epic. With its many editions now, the page count varies but the edition I read was around 600 pages – it is no quick read. However, as a result, you read one of the most encapsulating, rewarding stories you’ll ever read. Every single emotion, feeling, plot point and the possible story arc is covered in this book. You’ll read about death, life, happiness, sadness, the best of life and the worst of life.
It focuses on the lives of Adam Trask and his children, Samuel Hamilton and his family and the infamous and detestable Cathy. It takes you on a journey of real human problems – money, loss, self-worth, navigating the morality pathway and so much more.
East of Eden was an absolute joy to read. John Steinbeck has won a Nobel Prize for his contribution to literature and rightly so. I compel you to read this book and not come out of it feeling like there’s nothing else he could have said. It’s written in such a way where nearly everything is quotable either because it is written with such eloquence or because something complicated is written with such obvious simplicity. There’s a reason John Steinbeck’s work is often quoted throughout English classes.
*****

New to the Hungry Hundred Book Club? Here's what you need to know:

1. Read the book (If you don't manage to finish it by the meetup date, don't worry. As long as you're not going to be too disappointed by spoilers, you're still welcome to join.)
2. Come to the meeting, usually (but not always!) on the last Sunday of every month.
3. Be prepared to order food/drink at the venue to show our appreciation for letting us use their space. This is a requirement. A lot of time and effort has been put into finding a place that will accommodate our group without an outrageous minimum charge or rental fee, so please show your respect and support for the restaurant that's letting us use their space.
4. Discuss! It's a casual conversation, so don't be afraid to ask questions and let us know what you think.
5. Starting in May 2026, attendance fees collected will be split 50% towards Meetup platform fees, and 50% donated to the Singapore Book Council (or other Singapore based charitable organisation). Once Meetup platform fees are covered, 100% will be given to charity. Total as of September 30 2026: $153 ($77 for charity, $76 towards platform fees).