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East of Eden (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

East of Eden (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics) Unknown - 1992

by John Steinbeck


About this book

East of Eden is a novel by John Steinbeck, published in 1952. It tells the multi-generational story of two families, the Hamiltons and the Trasks, in California's Salinas Valley. The novel explores themes of good and evil, love and hate, and the human capacity for both. It also delves into the nature of family dynamics, inheritance, and the American dream. The characters are complex and nuanced, and the novel's narrative structure allows for a deep exploration of their motivations and emotions. East of Eden is considered one of Steinbeck's most ambitious works and a masterpiece of American literature.

From the publisher

This sprawling and often brutal novel, set in the rich farmlands of California's Salinas Valley, follows the intertwined destinies of two families--the Trasks and the Hamiltons--whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. A strange and original work of art.--New York Times Book Review.

First Edition Identification

East of Eden’s true first edition (Viking Press; New York, 1952) is a limited edition of only 1,500 copies signed by Steinbeck. This signed limited first edition has dark green boards and came in a slipcase. 750 copies of this signed limited first edition were for private distribution. The original cloth binding is stamped in gilt and brown, in a faux-wood grain slipcase. 

The first trade edition states "First published by The Viking Press in September 1952" on the copyright page with no statements of subsequent printings, and the year 1952 on the title page. Boards are light green. Dust jacket has Steinbeck's photo on the rear with no blurbs. The first state has "bite" on page 281, line 38.


Details

  • Title East of Eden (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics)
  • Author John Steinbeck
  • Binding unknown
  • Publisher Tandem Library
  • Date October 1992
  • ISBN 9780613996983