Amelia L.’s Reviews > East of Eden > Status Update

Ok I am loving the knife-sharp tension of ideas between Cal and Aron’s hopes, dreams, lifestyles, and strengths of character. The way in which they orbit around Adam’s fatherhood and Lee’s advice continue to fascinate. However, I have no idea what’s going on with the introducing of the Joe storyline this late in the narrative. Maybe it helps Kate’s downfall?

Less than 60 pgs left AAAAH

Big 500. I’m not sure if I’m liking the direction both Cal and Aron are going. Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it. And Adam is a blissfully unaware father who does not reveal much to his own children. Lee stays the moral center of this book. RIP Liza Hamilton. I wish you got more pages.

Regarding the main narrative— Adam finally gets some closure. However, the most interesting thing I found about this section was the nuance we dove into the Hamilton family with. The absence of Sam had more consequences than we ever expected.

I’m now onto the fourth and final part of the book and I’m finishing it in 2022 if it’s the last thing I do.

So we move on to the next generation. Cal and Aron are an interesting switch of perspective from the main stories. Interesting POV to see C and A grow while Adam watches all the people from his past pass away. ALSO Lee needs a break from carrying the story with actual sense and wisdom

Lee and Samuel and Adam have such interesting conversations. I’m intrigued to see how the story moves on from here— we as readers are being hinted at that Sam’s times as the narrative pillar are soon coming to an end. The book of Genesis plays an important role also- amazing the moral roots of translations. “Thou mayest”

OK I'm finally on part III of the novel. Insane. I was thinking of doing some summarization, simply so I don't forget with writing my review later on.

1.) Introduces Hamilton and Trask; Tells story of Charles and Adam and their father and Cathy marrying Adam.
2.) A + Cathy move to Calif. and Cathy leaves A with their newborn twin sons, named Caleb and Aaron after bible people. Sam helps out a lot with other stuff.

I start connecting the dots when Samuel starts talking about Cain and Abel and oh look here's the title of the novel" and omg this is a parallel to Genesis, and OH I GET IT NOW.

Look I never said I paid too much attention in religious ed.

Before this, I loved the progression of Cathy's character, or "Kate" as she now calls herself. There is something compelling about reading undeniably twisted characters.

Early in the book: 😇👍Devout Girlboss Cathy😇👍

Now: 👎😡all my homies hate any woman because bible told us women are the original sin👎😡

*Samuel Hamilton might be one of the most compassionate characters in all literature

Steinbeck has a way with immersive, simple prose. The best way I can say this is it feels like watching a long American movie instead of reading a long American novel. I am still engaged however!

lol i am enjoying a lot now but then realizing that I have so much more to go