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kcrouth's review against another edition
5.0
I just returned from a vacation in California in which we visited both Cannery Row in Monterey and the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. I picked up a copy of Cannery Row from a merchant on the Row, and got this copy of Travels with Charley at the Steinbeck Center, reading it upon returning. This travelog of Mr. Steinbeck's trek across the US is rich and delightful to read, and i savored every word and phrase. I love his writing, and this is one of the my favorites. We were also able to experience the big timeless trees in Sequoia National Park and i found Steinbeck's section on the big redwoods especially moving and profound, wonderfully describing the awe these majestic trees inspire when among them. This entire account is a beautiful experience, and well worth reading. The many people he met along this journey, and the places he chose to visit, are described as only John Steinbeck could. This edition includes for the first time an Appendix that he wrote for the book that was not published previously. This is a wonderful and enjoyable book.
klparmley's review against another edition
2.0
Not the most interesting travel book I've ever read. I prefer his novels.
katdfleming's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating read! (I listened to this on audio through my library Hoopla account.) Gary Sinise does it again. Great narrator! What I found most interesting was his travel through the South toward the end of the book. Such a turning point in history and he describes it from a point of view I'd never heard before. Highly recommend!
tarbou's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
“With all the polls and opinion posts, with newspapers more opinion than news so that we no longer know one from the other…”
John Steinbeck continues to captivate me. The “non-fiction” side of this book put some distance between me and it for all the years I’ve been reading him, but I’m glad I made it. While some of the language and terminologies are outdated (and cause a pang of nausea at times), it’s eye-opening and saddening that many of the observations and troubles facing the world in 1960 are largely the same. Some better, some far worse.. and others still just transferred rage to another “target”
Overall enjoyable book, as Steinbeck’s writing is a mix of humour, self-reflection and humility. And of course, the beloved Charley who adds a heartwarming relatability to the journey.
John Steinbeck continues to captivate me. The “non-fiction” side of this book put some distance between me and it for all the years I’ve been reading him, but I’m glad I made it. While some of the language and terminologies are outdated (and cause a pang of nausea at times), it’s eye-opening and saddening that many of the observations and troubles facing the world in 1960 are largely the same. Some better, some far worse.. and others still just transferred rage to another “target”
Overall enjoyable book, as Steinbeck’s writing is a mix of humour, self-reflection and humility. And of course, the beloved Charley who adds a heartwarming relatability to the journey.
nattyyllie's review against another edition
5.0
(5 star) Utterly fantastic.
“A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.”
Charley is the star of this book and has my heart. Steinbeck is unbeatable.
“A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.”
Charley is the star of this book and has my heart. Steinbeck is unbeatable.
tarrowood's review against another edition
5.0
Steinbeck’s language is something that comforts me. And so did this book. There’s nothing more to it than that.