East of Eden

by John Steinbeck

I never had any desire to read Steinbeck. This was most probably due to the fact that I never had to read any of his books when I was in school, and the kids who did read them said they were terrible. So I took their word for it and avoided him (avoid is a pretty strong word. It's more accurate to say that I did not seek him out).

That all changed one day when the receptionist where I work raved about this book called "East of Eden". She mentioned that they are remaking it into a movie with Jennifer Lawrence, and that's all I needed to hear to get interested. So I checked it out from my local library to see what it was all about.

It was awesome. I read the description on Goodreads before adding it to my "to-read" shelf, but had forgotten it by the time I got the book. I actually prefer it that way because I don't like to have any preconceived notions going into a book. I just sat back to enjoy this one and enjoy it I did.

The story is hard to describe. At it's heart, its really about destiny and human nature and the need for acceptance. The story starts with two brothers, Adam and Charles (their initials are significant. Think Abel and Cain). Adam has a good heart and is strictly nonviolent, and Charles is the opposite. I think Charles has a good heart, too. He loves his brother and his father. He just has this uncontrollable temper. Adam learns not to ignite Charles's temper, but one day he's not careful enough. Charles beats him within an inch of his life and comes back to finish the job, but Adam hides until Charles gives up and goes home.

A decade or two later Adam, being sweet but not too bright, names his twin sons (who are probably actually Charles's sons) Caleb and Aaron. Caleb does not directly kill Aaron (who decides to go by Aron), but he does do something very cruel which ultimately results in Aron's death.

The best part of this book was the depiction of the struggle between good and evil that happens inside each of us (OK, most of us. The mother of the two boys is just a sociopath). It also addresses the fact that this struggle is different for everyone. Caleb laments the fact that Aron doesn't struggle the way he does, while simultaneously admitting that he doesn't actually know that. Everyone else may assume that Aron is pure good, but Aron might not see it that way. Who among us cannot relate to that?

I have two favorite parts of this book:

1) The discussion about the story of Cain and Abel and how exactly it is written in the Bible, including different translations. That was a great conversation that brought to light a number of good points about the story, including the observation that Cain really got the short end of the stick and the possible origins of the story.

2) Lee. He was my favorite character. Part stereotypical wise old Chinese man, part mother. He is not only wise, but also hilarious at times. He would do and say things that completely surprised and delighted me. I probably loved him most for his blunt manner. Adam would try to dance around a topic, but Lee wouldn't let him get away with that. He always saw right through to the heart of the matter and he would talk about that and nothing else. I've always admired people who could do that, fictional or otherwise.