ABOUT THIS EPISODE
You're about to hear a LOT about East of Eden when the Netflix adaptation drops. So get the low down here before you watch or do a deep dive after! 🍎
Welcome to Classics in Session, a deep dive into the classics we can’t stop talking about. First up: John Steinbeck’s sprawling, messy, morally complicated East of Eden.
Across four episodes, Sara and Belinda are unpacking the characters, family drama, biblical parallels, good, evil, timshel and everything in between.
In Episode 1, we’re starting at the beginning. Why are people still reading a 600 page novel published more than 70 years ago? Does it actually deserve the hype? Did it really need to be that long? And what makes a book about intergenerational trauma, jealousy, terrible parenting and the desperate need to be loved feel quite so... current?
We’re also getting into the Steinbeck lore, the real family history woven into the novel, its divided critical reception and how East of Eden went from a 1952 bestseller to a classic that readers are still discovering today.
🍎 SPOILER POLICY
This episode contains light to moderate spoilers. We’ll discuss the premise, themes and characters, but we’re saving the major character developments and ending spoilers for our next episode.
CREDITS
This week's episode is hosted by Sara Zarriello and Belinda Conners.
Co produced by Belinda Conners and Sara Zarriello.
Video Production by Michael Windle and Maia Longhurst.
Scripting and content co ordination by Sara Zarriello.
Graphic design and introduction animation by Maia Longhurst.
