# East of Eden

Set in the rich farmland of California's Salinas Valley, East of Eden follows two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, whose generations seem to repeat the fall of Adam and Eve and the rivalry of Cain and Abel. Steinbeck described the book as the story of his country and of himself, and the Hamiltons are drawn from his mother's family.

The novel is long and often brutal, but it is also generous in its attention to people. It considers the mystery of identity, why love arrives where it does, and the damage done when love is missing. Its fathers, sons and brothers are among the most memorable characters Steinbeck created. This Penguin edition, first published in 2000, offers a substantial American novel about how far people can shape the lives they inherit.

## Books in this series (1)

- Vol. 1 — [East of Eden](https://mybookbandits.com/books/9780141923505) (ISBN 9780141923505)

---

Browse this series at [MyBookBandits](https://mybookbandits.com/series/east-of-eden-penguin-modern-classics).