John Steinbeck
3) East of Eden
Written in his later years, Steinbeck's novel follows the intertwined affairs of two families in southern California. As the saga unfolds, it also becomes a retelling of two powerful stories from Genesis: the fall of Adam and Eve, and the rivalry of Cain and Abel. Steinbeck crafted East of Eden as a profound allegory and considered it, besides The Grapes of Wrath, his most important work.
4) Cannery Row
A Penguin Classic
Published in 1945, Cannery Row focuses on the acceptance of life as it is: both the exuberance of community and the loneliness of the individual. Drawing on his memories of the real inhabitants of Monterey, California, including longtime friend Ed Ricketts,...