Journal of a Novel

The East of Eden Letters

By: John Steinbeck

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Each working day from January 29 to November 1, 1951, John Steinbeck warmed up to the work of writing East of Eden with a letter to the late Pascal Covici, his friend and editor at The Viking Press. It was his way, he said, of "getting my mental arm in shape to pitch a good game."

Steinbeck's letters were written on the left-hand pages of a notebook in which the facing pages would be filled with the test of East of Eden. They touched on many subjects—story arguments, trial flights of workmanship, concern for his sons.

Part autobiography, part writer's workshop, these letters offer an illuminating perspective on Steinbeck's creative process, and a fascinating glimpse of Steinbeck, the private man.

Critic reviews

"Full of insights and revelations involving the gladness and terror of writing." —Chicago Sun-Times

"A sort of Travels with Charley across a more personal country." —The Boston Globe

Intimate behind-the-scenes look

John Steinbeck’s JOURNAL OF A NOVEL is a terrific accompaniment to reading his book, EAST OF EDEN. JOURNAL isn’t merely a reflection on EDEN; the two books were literally written side-by-side. Steinbeck began his EDEN writing sessions with a brief warm-up, jotting down his thoughts on EDEN. His journal entries were notes for his editor, written on the left-hand pages of his composition books in which he was writing EAST KF EDEN on the right-hand pages. Thus, we readers gain intimate insight into the writer’s mindset while I’m the throes of creating this epic novel. Read both JOIRNAL OF A NOVEL and EAST OF EDEN concurrently. As an aspiring writer, I was encouraged as I learned not only Steinbeck’s writing process and craft, but also how he fit the task of writing into everyday life. It was like being invited to shadow a great writer for a year as he wrote a masterpiece. Also, the narrator was superb— he truly captured the reflective and relaxed nature of the work. A must for any writer. Ten stars all around.

Emotional reality. Stunning

Masterpiece and tour de force. Hard to finish and put it down. Trying to rem any other book with such emotional and soulful impact.

Thoughts on America’s Contribution to Good & Evil

Thank you Audible for making the commentaries of Steinbeck available to the people in a most pleasant and true format!

Ralph Waldo Emerson mused that the Old Testament was Hebrew poetry and Homer was divine word. Here, Steinbeck wrote the American novel which equally belongs in the Old Testament and next to Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.

If you have not read East of Eden, please read it for it is truly an American epic and if you have read it please read A Journal of a Novel. For those that like to listen, Audible and Penguin have done a marvelous service in producing these Steinbeck titles. Thou mayest enlighten your soul by reading.

Only for East of Eden fans

I love this book but it isn’t for everyone. Steinbeck is my favorite author and I have read everything he has published (I’ve read several of his books multiple times). This book is perfect for someone who has read East of Eden and wants to read it again. Otherwise, it would make no sense.

Treasure to have this documented

This was such an interesting listen. I loved the process behind the book and a glimpse into the authors life.