East of Eden--A Steinbeck classic

Upon growing up in the Salinas Valley one of the requirements is to read John Steinbeck's novels. One of the first ones I picked was "East of Eden" because I saw the movie with James Dean and loved it. So I eagerly grabbed the book and I was not disappointed.
The book details the lives of Adam Trask and his two sons; Arron and Cal. Arron is the good son who always does right by his father and makes his father proud. The kind of son any father would want to have and then there is Cal, the son who is the bad seed.
But in John Steinbeck's hands Cal is the son that you root for because you get to learn about the details of his life and how is like his wicked but crafty mother who Adam fell for heart and soul and still pines for and in every look that gives Cal, he is seeing the woman who he still loves and who broke his heart.
Steinbeck paints a rich picture of the father; a bitter, hurt, broken man. Arron, the good loving son, who has his limits also and Cal, the fascinating,disturbed son just looking for the love he has always deserved but never received.
"East of Eden" is one of Steinbeck's best works and one I truly have enjoyed. I would highly recommend it to anyone and if you aren't a great reader, rent the video with James Dean it is also on the A list.