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East of Eden cover art

East of Eden

By: John Steinbeck,David Wyatt - introduction
Narrated by: Simon Manyonda
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

'There is only one book to a man,' Steinbeck wrote of East of Eden, his most ambitious novel. Set in the rich farmland of the Salinas Valley, California, this powerful, often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations hopelessly re-enact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. 

Here Steinbeck created some of his most memorable characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity; the inexplicability of love and the murderous consequences of love's absence.

©1952 John Steinbeck (P)2022 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about East of Eden

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing writing, the narration disappointed me

I love Steinbeck and have read most of his books. I started reading the print version of East of Eden and was excited to hear that the audiobook had been released. That means that I can continue 'reading' when driving the car. Steinbeck is so good at getting under the skin of his subjects and describing life in America.
I was so disappointed with the narration. Why have an English narrator attempting to put on an American accent? Much of the story is from the point of view of an elderly man, yet the narrator sounds young. Surely a seasoned American voice is what is needed for this classic story.
Update. I tried, but couldn't live with the narration. I returned the title.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • JG
  • 17-07-23

Excellent book let down by terrible accent work

This book is a triumph. It’s brutal and beautiful and thoughtful and poetic, all without a hint of pretension. I found it gripping.

The narration of this recording is painful. The American accent of the reader is unconvincing. He’s clearly trying very hard to do rhotic ‘r’s, and the result feels foRced and oveRt. And the Irish accent is risibly bad - I’ve not encountered worse. When the narrator remembers the character speaking is meant to be Irish, he uses what would be a more convincing (though still abysmal) Australian accent. It breaks the immersion and is constantly irritating. It’s to the book’s credit that the strength of the story carried me through.

I’m sure in his native accent he’s a fine reader, but giving this book to this performer was a terrible mistake. What a shame.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible story, disappointing narration

A wonderful & epic story, I started this book many many years ago & never finished it, listening to it has been so enjoyable - despite the narration which at times was terrible!
Sam Hamilton’s voice changed from American to “Oirish” sometimes within the same sentence, presumably when the narrator remembered that Sam was actually from Ireland. It could have done with a much older narrator & someone who could do much better female accents, at times it was ridiculous!
That being said, this is a really great story, I am so glad to have finally finished it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Glad I Stayed!

I wasn't sure about this at first, the narrator didn't grab me as right for the role. I admit, his Irish accent made me laugh yes but as the book continued he managed to imbue characters I already love with a life I hadn't given them before with a depth I had somewhere missed.
The variety of voices he portrayed were great, and, of course, the book; like all Steinbeck's works is a stunning philosophical narrative which coasts along in absorbing description of the natural world and of the nature of humans ourselves. I loved this.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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  • SK
  • 12-07-22

Wrong choice of narrator

Not the best choice of narrator for one of the most important American novels written. Very disappointing as I was looking forward to this release.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful story

Really enjoyed this book well written and read. Think it would make a great to series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Gripping

So many emotions and thoughts this book has show me! Brilliant! Reading everything by the author now

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Steinbecks 2nd best ?

I always struggle to come up with the answer of which is his best ; this or Grapes.
Eden is a more complete story, but Grapes is a more important book but still I cant choose between them. What is vastly different on Audible is the quality of the narration. The Grapes narration is the best I've ever heard, Richard Armitage gives a masterful performance of both sexes. The narration of Eden on the other hand...Whoa...it's so bad in places it made me want to stop ; especially the chapters with Cathy and Faye. The narrator cannot do convincing female voices. And his 'Oirish' accent Jeezus !!!
I wish Audible would get someone else to do it, it's too great a work to be made a mockery of.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The great American story

Full of complex characters, history and philosophy. Steinbeck’s finest and most epic work performed well.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sublime book ruined by stilted narration

I've loved this classic book for fifty years - it is one of my all time favourite reads. I class it as literature of the highest standard. Why, oh why, did you pick this person as narrator? His delivery is halting and stilted and the words just don't flow, and they should. I don't even mind the pretty appalling Irish accents as much as the inappropriate pauses. He will deliver a line of speech, then pause a moment, then say "he said." It is irritating in the extreme. I'll continue it to the end because I love the book but just feel I should complain also about his pronunciation. He pronounces Cicero as "Kikero". Unbelievable this was not picked up on and corrected. Badly done, Audible. Such a shame.

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