Read this when
East of Eden
Afraid you'll become your parent? Steinbeck's answer is one word: timshel. You may choose otherwise. 🌱
Who it's for
Cal Trask's hunger for his father's approval, his jealousy of his brother Aron and his fear that he has inherited his mother Cathy's darkness give readers who feel like the 'bad' child an unusually compassionate mirror.
Guilty / Ashamed→Hopeful
Feelings it meets
What it is
John Steinbeck's 1952 novel is set mainly in California's Salinas Valley between the Civil War era and the end of World War I. It follows two families: the Hamiltons, led by Samuel Hamilton, and the Trasks.
Where to find it
In print (Penguin) and widely available in libraries (Libby/Hoopla); audiobook available. Not public domain.
Before you start
Heads up: Suicide and sexual violence.
Age: Ages 16+
The roots below the earth claim no rewards for making the branches fruitful.Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds, no. 134
