Quotes from bookEast of Eden
East of Eden is a novel by Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck, published in September 1952. Often described as Steinbeck's most ambitious novel, East of Eden brings to life the intricate details of two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, and their interwoven stories. The novel was originally addressed to Steinbeck's young sons, Thom and John . Steinbeck wanted to describe the Salinas Valley for them in detail: the sights, sounds, smells and colors.
“A man so painfully in love is capable of self-torture beyond belief.”
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Source: East of Eden
“And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good.”
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Source: East of Eden
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Variant: My father said she was a strong woman, and I believe a strong woman may be stronger than a man, particularly if she happens to have love in her heart. I guess a loving woman is almost indestructible.
Source: East of Eden
“My imagination will get me a passport to hell one day.”
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Source: East of Eden
“People like you to be something, preferably what they are.”
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Source: East of Eden
“There are no ugly questions except those clothed in condescension.”
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Source: East of Eden (1952)
“Nearly everybody has his box of secret pain, shared with no one.”
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Source: East of Eden
“I wonder how many people I have looked at all my life and never really seen.”
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Variant: I wonder how many people I've looked at all my life and never seen.
Source: East of Eden
John Steinbeck book East of Eden
Source: East of Eden (1952)
Context: Maybe that's the reason," Adam said slowly, feeling his way. "Maybe if I had loved him I would have been jealous of him. You were. Maybe-maybe love makes you suspicious and doubting. Is it true that when you love a woman you are never sure-never sure of her because you aren't sure of yourself? I can see it pretty clearly. I can see how you loved him and what it did to you. I did not love him. Maybe he loved me. He tested me and hurt me and punished me and finally he sent me out like a sacrifice, maybe to make up for something. But he did not love you, and so he had faith in you. Maybe — why, maybe it's a kind of reverse.
