East of Eden is a 1952 novel by John Steinbeck, set in California's Salinas Valley, that follows the intertwined lives of two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons, exploring themes of good vs. evil, identity, and love through the lens of the biblical story of Cain and Abel. Considered a masterpiece, it's a multi-generational epic that delves into complex characters and enduring questions about human nature, with a key theme being the Hebrew word "Timshel," meaning "thou mayest," which signifies the freedom to choose one's path.
