The Beautiful Mess of Steinbeck’s ‘East of Eden’

When a Novelist Attempts to Write Scripture

I had high hopes for John Steinbeck’s East of Eden as I cracked the cover and began laddering down the opening lines. “The Salinas Valley is in Northern California. It is a long and narrow swale. . . .” Everyone I know who has read it tells me it’s one of their favorite novels, maybe their very favorite. Having now read it, I get why. And yet, in some w…