Friday, January 18, 2013

Classics Club Monthly Meme *6 - The Best!


January's question from The Classics Club is -  'What is the best book you’ve read so far for The Classics Club — and why? Be sure to link to the post where you discussed the book! (Or, if you prefer, what is your least favorite read so far for the club, and why?)'

 I have many favourites among the 20 I've read from my Classics Club list but I think 'the best' means something a bit different and my choice is.......

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

....because I think the author has achieved a perfect balance between all the main elements that go into the structure of a novel and it is masterful storytelling.

  •  The setting is more than a background. The Salinas Valley is vividly described and its growth and development over the years is an interesting story in itself.
  • The characters , good and bad, are unforgettable.
  • The story is powerful and compelling from beginning to end.

Sorry - no review link which is actually a sure sign of how much I loved East of Eden. I put off writing reviews when I know it's going to be a struggle to find the right words to express how I feel about a book.
 
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5 comments:

  1. WhitneyJanuary 18, 2013 at 11:21 AM

    I have East of Eden on my Classic Club list so I'm glad to here its so good! The only other Steinbeck I've read is Of Mice and Men in 9th grade. I remember loving it and finding his descriptions being so vivid. I look forward to reading your review on this novel.

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    1. CatJanuary 19, 2013 at 8:18 AM

      I hope I will get around to writing a post eventually. I'm really looking forward to The Grapes of Wrath now.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    Yes, soemtimes, the right words to describe a such a book with profound impact escapes me. I have a similar experince with Khaled Husseini's The Kite Runner. I have read only glowingly of East of Eden and I might want to read it shoudl I lay hands on a copy

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    1. CatJanuary 19, 2013 at 8:20 AM

      I hope you will read and enjoy. I should have read The Kite Runner before now but I do have it on my TBR challenge pile so this year definitely.

      Delete
  3. FleurFisherJanuary 21, 2013 at 3:23 AM

    I must confess that I have never tried Steinbeck, but if you rate this highly enough to pick it out from a wonderful selection of books I clearly must.

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