The Other Side of Eden: Life With John Steinbeck (Hardcover)

by John Steinbeck IV (Author), Nancy Steinbeck (Author), Andrew Harvey (Author) "In 1949, New York City in spring was as beautiful as any vaulted redwood forest might have been to a country child of three..." (more)
Key Phrases: plaster mountain, whip stall, shrine room, Dao Dua, New York, John Steinbeck (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The title conveys the dual focus of this memoir: "life with John Steinbeck" refers both to the famous American novelist as seen by his son, and to Nancy Steinbeck's life with the son, her late husband, John Steinbeck IV. Nancy's introduction explains that Steinbeck IV commenced his autobiography in 1990, and after his untimely death in 1991, she "needed to finish his manuscript for [their] family." The book is in short sections, some by John, some by Nancy (a few are coauthored); they both tell sad tales of dysfunction and abuse. The son, a lost soul who never fully developed his own identity apart from his father's fame, tells of a childhood of "Promethean intensity," characterized "by shameless, alcoholic abuse and neglect." After being sent to Vietnam at age 20, John became a journalist (winning an Emmy), Buddhist monk, father, social activist and drug addict. With the exception of the last two years of his life, his periods of sobriety didn't last, though his tumultuous marriage to Nancy, against all odds, did. Nancy's story, perhaps the more dominant and message-driven, is all too familiar: loyal and enraged wife of an intelligent, creative addict who promises everything and delivers little. That intermittent "little" was enough for Nancy, however: "you just plain loved him because he had guts... with a brain... with words... with heart." Little new information on the senior Steinbeck appears, but Nancy does contribute an interesting, somewhat iconoclastic point of view rife with New Age inflections. While John's prose is rich with imagery and Nancy's story is sympathetic, a sense of aimlessness pervades the book. Only devoted Steinbeck fans will feel compelled to read this dual memoir. (Feb.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Nancy Steinbeck writes here about her father-in-law, the celebrated American novelist John Steinbeck, and about his son, her husband of 12 years, the late John Steinbeck IV. Her narrative frames her husband's memoir of life with his father, which was left incomplete at his death in 1991. John Steinbeck IV, a soldier, correspondent, and junkie who at one time lived "on the dregs of his substantial biannual Steinbeck royalty check," writes of his bitter resentments (family and country) amid the landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. His wife, a former therapist, writes of her role as a codependent and describes herself and her husband as tortured "inner angry babies." Squandered privilege, legacy, medication, and intimacy abound, and irresponsibility and bad choices commingle with na vet , delusions, transcendental meditation, and self-absorption. John Steinbeck IV's essays might appeal to readers interested in the the political era and post-traumatic stress syndrome experienced by veterans of the Vietnam War. But all in all, this is writing from a self-imposed trap.DScott Hightower, Fordham Univ., New York
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 363 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573928585
• ISBN-13: 978-1573928588
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #980,634 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Searching for Steinbeck, March 31, 2001

By A Customer

I was honestly disappointed with the book. Though I found John Steinbeck IV's experience quite compelling, I was put off by the writing of his ex-wife, Nancy. The problem with this book was its uneven texture. Her narrative was largely ridiculous-allegations of sexual abuse, drug taking, promiscous sex with mutiple partners-what did all of this have to do with the relationship between Steinbeck father and son, the real heart of the story and cause for public interest? Personally, I think the book would have been much stronger had Nancy Steinbeck's experience not dominated the whole of the book. From what I read, there was no contact with John Steinbeck III. I was not interested in her. I was interested in the experience of a prodigal son who had one hell of a time trying to live up to his father's legacy and never returned home. I think what this book lacks is contribution from actual members of the Steinbeck family such as the mother or the other sons. Steinbeck wrote in an impartial, journalistic voice. This book should have included the opinions and experiences of real members of the Steinbeck family to provide the public with an accurate and sensitive touch.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a saga...NOT BORING!!!, August 10, 2003

By	"carmelcat" (Carmel CA) - See all my reviews

I'm reading this book in conjuction with Oprah's book club choice, East of Eden. I just had to respond to the person below who called the book boring, because I cannot put it down! People who drink alcholically are not weak minded, as the poster states. If self control could stop an addict, there would be no need for treatment centers and 12 Step programs. I found the story of recovery which weaves its way through John and Nancy Steinbeck's marriage to be tremendously inspiring and uplifting.
And I'm glad there's more to the book than an expose of Steinbeck's shadow side. This is an epic page turner which runs the gamut from the Steinbecks involvement with Beatniks, Hippies, Tibetan Buddhism, Viet Nam Vets, Anti-war protests,
Recovery, New Age gurus; it's truly a chronical for any baby boomer to find something that resonates in their own mythology.
The book has also helped readers on the Oprah Book Club board understand the psychological dynamics amongst the characters of East of Eden, as played out in the real lives of Steinbeck's sons. I love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars interesting book, August 15, 2008

By	Robert Morecook (Sugar Land, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book about Steinbeck IV. I found his account of his father's visit to Vietnam fascinating - truly moving account of father and son while the VC are [perhaps] stealthily moving in the night. Steinbeck IV served with AFNN in Vietnam - though not at the Saigon HQ where Airman Adrian Cronauer [played by Robin Williams in the movie Good Morning Vietnam] was. Bob Morecook AFVN News 72/73