This October, Netflix premiered its adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel, East of Eden. This show has been long awaited, featuring an impressive cast including Florence Pugh and Christopher Abbott to bring to life one of Steinbeck’s most infamously well-loved novels. If you’ve started or are considering starting the show, but are looking for some background on the book, you’ve come to the right place. I hope this will leave you excited for the show, and now equally as eager to dive into the book. It may be a classic, but don’t be daunted—East of Eden is renowned by many for a reason.
East of Eden is primarily set in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, in California’s Salinas Valley. Steinbeck’s Central California roots are heavily reflected in his work by depicting the region’s profound natural imagery and its rapid metropolitan development. In East of Eden, he specifically talks about the early years of Stanford University, the role of immigration, and the rise of multicultural enclaves. Having been born and raised in Northern California, Steinbeck’s lauding of the region is one of my favorite parts of his work. There’s no doubting his appreciation for his home.
East of Eden is a modern adaptation of Cain and Abel’s story from the Bible. The book’s storyline follows multiple protagonists across multiple generations, depicting the ebbs and flows of their lives. When a wealthy, naive Adam Trask moves to California from Connecticut, he quickly befriends Samuel Hamilton, a modest and wise family man. The book quickly grows from a tale of the two men’s friendship to the deep entanglement of their families’ stories. Another key character is Cathy Ames, played by Florence Pugh in the show. Cathy is alluring, yet odd; captivating, but cunning. After Adam falls in love and weds Cathy, they trek to Salinas Valley together. However, Cathy has an acutely dark side that Adam is blind to. While he grapples with oblivion, the weight of her ethos is felt and pushed against by the closest in their community—especially their children. Cathy’s journey is just as large a part as Samuel and Adam; however, the show specifically puts her at the helm.
With Florence Pugh as Cathy, there’s no missing that the show follows her life above the other characters—this is why the novel should not be missed. The book’s range of characters exhibit different lessons and arcs that carry the story, but most importantly make a lasting impression on the reader. The raw, honest portrayal of the novel’s characters leads you to love them as your own. This is not to say the television series is wrong for diverting from the book in this way. Instead, it suggests the show and novel serve different purposes and create different experiences for their audience.
East of Eden is a beautiful story of found family and loving thy neighbor, alongside a twisted and unsettling reality. Steinbeck puts these themes in tension with each other, showing that it’s possible to feel both solace and discomfort while reading the same novel. East of Eden is a one-of-a-kind novel, and I hope the show draws attention and brings in a new wave of readers ready to appreciate some of Steinbeck’s best work.