The Reader and the Writer

Welcome back to East of Eden, where “diplomacy by other means” is boiling over, abroad and at home. In this episode, Rhea and Shari discuss characters and characterizations, and why it seems the “innocent” characters are so much more flat than the conflicted, troubled characters. They circle back on greatness, and how it connects to timshel. They talk about freedom. And, they wonder whether it’s easier to give or to receive.

Next week they will finish East of Eden: Chapters 50-55.

Oh! And, be sure to tune in on Friday, December 5th, for their annual Big Draw Episode, where they will be drawing, debating, and deciding on their reading list for 2026. Yay!

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Welcome to this Thanksgiving bonus episode of the Reader & the Writer! In this episode, Shari interviews author, Connie Hampton Connally. Connie has written two novels: The Songs We Hide, and Fire Music, both set in Hungary; and is currently at work on her third novel, set in Andean Peru. Connie holds a BA in English from University of Washington, and an MFA from Antioch University. Connie and Shari discuss the inspiration for her novels, her research and crafting process, and all the many aspects of the reading and writing life.

You can find Connie at: conniehamptonconnally.com

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Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss the extreme amount of grayness at this point in the narrative: Tom’s Gray One, Aron’s gray mind, and Kate’s gray room. They discuss “fake it ‘til you make it” versus perseverance for the sake of the other. Shari questions her earlier thoughts on Samuel Hamilton’s version of greatness, and and how Hamilton “greatness” expresses itself in the various characters. And of course, they discuss the ONE TRUE story as Steinbeck expresses it, and whether or not they agree. Is the one story in the world the story of good and evil? Or is it of love and rescue?

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Welcome back to East of Eden.

In this episode, Shari and Rhea have a whole host of discussions: relationships, counterpoints, and how “thou mayest” factors into all of it. They talk about Lee as the new Samuel Hamilton, Lee as a friend, and Lee as the mother Cal and Aron never had. They talk about characters and their relationships to their own pasts and futures, and how considering this in our own lives could offer interesting insights as well. They discuss nature v. nurture, land and people - people and land, and lies that infect everything. Rhea offers a lively discourse over education. And then she give a spoiler about Santa Claus. You’ve been warned.

Next week, they will discuss Chapters 33-40.

Don’t forget to check out Rhea’s reading guide post for East of Eden. Lots of great stuff for learning and considering:

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The human mind cannot grasp the causes of events in their completeness but the desire to find those causes is implanted in the human soul. And the human mind, without considering the multiplicity and complexity of the conditions of any one of which taken separately may seem to be the cause, seizes the first approximation to the cause that seems to him intelligible and says: “This is the cause!” —Leo Tolstoy (p. 1062, Oxford World Classics edition)

Welcome back to R&W’s deep read of War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy!

In this episode, Shari and Rhea’s discussion circulates through three major events and themes: Andrei’s death, Pierre’s new life, and the incalculable spirit of the army. They hold up each of these things to Tolstoy’s quote above. They talk about the counterpoint between Andrei and Pierre’s stories, between Kutuzov and the rest of the Russian generals, and between men’s hearts turned outward v. turned inward and how this affects the “spirit of the army.” They compare the narrative style and expression of themes in War and Peace v. East of Eden. And, they talk about how much Pierre digs his rope belt and homemade leather boots.

For it being more or less a snoozer of a section (forgive me, military strategist lovers), the ladies end up finding a lot of interesting things to talk about!

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Welcome back to East of Eden. In this episode, Shari and Rhea begin at the heart of the story, which happens to also be the center. They talk about naming, symbols, timshel, and what it took to make Adam wake up after 11 years of fallowness. They talk about the Hamilton children: Tom wrestling with greatness, Una’s death, and Dessie’s love that destroyed her joy. They talk about the difference between the feel of the story between the Hamiltons and Trasks. They wonder about Lee’s ideas about rejectiona and guilt, Samuel’s ideas on greatness, and Cathy’s thoughts on goodness (which is wild). And, they make mention of how here in the heart of the novel is also the most excellent example of how to close read a story—a Bible story at that. :D

Next week the ladies will be discussing Chapters 26-32.

We’d love to hear what struck you about this section of the novel. East of Eden is full of the Great Story. What connections do you find most compelling? What about the Great Conversation in general?

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You’re going to pass something down no matter what you do or if you do nothing. Even if you let yourself go fallow, the weeds will grow and the brambles. Something will grow.—Samuel Hamilton

Welcome back to East of Eden!

In this episode, Shari and Rhea discuss Cathy, Cathy, and more Cathy. They talk about the narrator’s questioning of whether or not she truly is a monster, or simply lacks a common language with the rest of humanity. They discuss the art of listening, Samuel Hamilton’s sage advice to Adam, Liza’s certainty that Lee’s a Presbyterian, eyes and hands as windows into the soul, original sin, and chalk eating.

Biblical references discussed in this section:

* Genesis 3:20-21

* Job 14:1-5

* Matthew 25:31-46

Next week’s discussion will cover: Chapters 22-25

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The ways of sin are curious. I guess if a man had to shuck off everything he had, inside and out, he’d manage to hide a few little sins somewhere of his own discomfort.”

—Samuel Hamilton

Welcome back to East of Eden.

In this episode, Rhea and Shari discuss the ways Steinbeck’s story “of everything” is unfolding: the juxtaposition between the Trasks and Hamiltons, the essays that open each new part of the story, and other continuing contrasts that Steinbeck isn’t trying at all to hide. They continue last week’s discussion of faith without love, and add to their wondering the glory of man, the glory of God, and the glory of God in man.

They also ask a series of questions worth thinking about as we all read forward together:

* Who is this story about? The Trasks? The Hamiltons? the Salinas Valley?

* What is the effect of Steinbeck making himself so visible as the voice of the narrator?

* Who is Cathy, really??

* What is Samuel’s role in this story?

* What is the “glory” being named in the story? What is the “glory” being expressed?

* What is faith without love?

Next week: Chapters 16-21

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Welcome to East of Eden, where life and death, good and evil, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and even the flora and fauna live at Biblical proportions.

In this episode, Rhea and Shari look closely at the opening two chapters for what it is showing us as it unfolds. They discuss the powerful living presence of the land, the repetition of words and ideas, the motifs of the east, parenting, light and darkness, life and death, plenty and waste. They talk about the strange nature of the narrator, sin and genetics, and the idea of timshel: “Thou mayest rule over sin.” And, they ask a couple really hard questions: Can a person have faith in someone and not love that person? Can a person be born evil to his or her core?

If you haven’t seen Rhea’s reading guide post for East of Eden, you can find it here:

Next week they will be discussing Chapters 9-15.

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Welcome to R&W’s final episode of The Feast! In this episode, Shari and Rhea have LOTS to discuss: what the end of each of the seven deadly sins looks like, those who were almost saved but weren’t, those who were almost NOT saved but were, and the wine that did the saving. They talk about “nonsense” and “foolishness” of the Kingdom and its joy, Noah’s ark, Lady Gifford’s ridiculous Mary-Martha reference, Kennedy’s head-nod to The Odyssey, Christian life in the final line, and what each of them wants the last conversations of their lives to be.

The next R&W deep read will be East of Eden, by John Steinbeck. They are taking eight weeks for this epic American novel.

Below is the reading plan:

Pick up your copy ASAP and start reading!

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Reader & the Writer! If you liked this episode, ❤️ it and share it!

The Reader & the Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the literary work we’re doing, become a free or paid subscriber.