Monica

In East of Eden, John Steinbeck effectively ties three generations together to create a fascinating book, although the character development department is definitely lacking. Aron, Liza, Adam, Cathy... all are flat and unsurprising.  Aron is forgettable (compared to interesting and spontaneous Cal), Adam is boring and unfortunately in love with the wrong woman for the majority of the book - the woman, in fact, also being too predictable. She’s evil, and that’s about it. There is no growth, no maturation. In contrast, Cal is a rather round character, with complex issues. He struggles with the jealousy of Aron, fluctuating between the concept of good and evil. Other characters embrace just one for the duration of the book, and yet Cal is the main expresser of timshel. True, it can be argued that this is Cal’s story, but his emotions run deeper than the other main characters. Abra is also seen as a rounder character, which is almost strange when most of Steinbeck’s female characters are flat: Liza, Cathy, Alice, Mollie, Dessie, and more. They’re nearly all side characters with one personality that defines them; for example, Mollie and Dessie are the ‘sweet ones’. We see Abra change, however, over the course of the book, as seen when she challenges her relationship with Aron. I suppose Aron was a bit too forgettable to her too, since like me, she obviously prefers Cal.

Generally, the plot is engaging. It’s fast-paced enough to capture my attention and prevent dragging, but not so fast that the developments seem rushed and unrealistic. The winding descriptions of the land may be necessary but can slow the book down in some of its most suspenseful and tense moments. I suppose, though, that’s what just adds to the suspense.

A good book, in my eyes, is a book makes you want to know the characters, meet them, and look into their eyes and have a conversation and feel what you feel when you read their dialogue. When you want to delve into the plot and wish the characters were people you know in real life... that’s a good book. 

John Steinbeck creates these characters. I want to be friends with Cal, have a deep conversation with Abra and cook with Lee. That being said, I would pass over a day with Adam or Cathy - I know what they’d do, and that just takes away the excitement of it all.