Books

First edition, 1952. Book near fine, with slight wear at spine ends, slight spotting on boards, tiny stain on back. Inscription by previous owner on front free endpaper. DJ near fine, price-clipped, tiny tear on front flap, glue residue at bottom of spine from previous sticker and some rubbing.

East of Eden is a novel by American author John Steinbeck. Published in September 1952, it is a saga telling the story of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—with a particular focus on the life of Adam Trask, his twin sons Caleb and Aron, and their complex relationship with each other and their father. The novel explores themes of depravity, beneficence, love, and redemption, and it vividly captures the rural Salinas Valley in California at the turn of the 20th century. Steinbeck considered 'East of Eden' to be his magnum opus.