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pixiebix's review against another edition
4.5
There are some books that you just connect with from the very first. This narrative had me cozied up and grinning from ear to ear immediately. Travels with Charley is so candid, and written with such flare and gentle humour and cleverness. ‘Humanness’ and its universal truths have really been captured here. America—what many would call the ‘real’ America—is captured here too; I have a real soft spot for books that demonstrate the best of American hospitality.
This book has talked me out of my prejudice against poodles, and has also made me realise my thoughts and worries and observations about travel are universal.
My attention did wander a little at several points, especially around the 60%-80% mark, but this is just still a book too sweet and soft and warm to not love.
This book has talked me out of my prejudice against poodles, and has also made me realise my thoughts and worries and observations about travel are universal.
My attention did wander a little at several points, especially around the 60%-80% mark, but this is just still a book too sweet and soft and warm to not love.
oawagner17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
hollious's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Cannot express how much I loved this!! Just incredible writing and the most beautiful descriptions.
rkaufman13's review against another edition
3.0
I'm glad I read this. Steinbeck is, as always, great---but boy is he grumpy. "I don't hate progress! I just hate all these people and houses and cars! Let's go back to when this town was a country village....but I don't hate progress!"
Charley is truly a good dog and would, if he were mine, be enough to make me no longer a "cat person." Ha, just kidding. But Charley is a great dog and a great character.
Charley is truly a good dog and would, if he were mine, be enough to make me no longer a "cat person." Ha, just kidding. But Charley is a great dog and a great character.
deejayswan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
I adore Steinbeck’s personal humor as well as his deep thoughts about the state of America over the course of his trip. He's so honest yet profound and I couldn't help but finish this book as quickly as possible.
velmaslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
This was my Grandpas favorite book, so it was sweet to read it after he passed and see where he got some of the things he used to say. Steinbeck was his favorite.
carriedoodledoo's review
4.0
I picked this up the day we arrived home from a stressful "vacation" in Maine and finished it the next day. One would think after spending a week cursing the day I thought to ever leave my doorstep, that it would not be so easy to get the traveling bug back in me. After blazing through this little travelogue, I would be searching campervans on Pinterest were I not so tired from the effort of corralling a newly mobile toddler from certain self-destruction on the rocky shores of Acadia.
I unfortunately fell prey to one of the classic blunders (the most famous of course, is never get involved in a land war in Asia) but only SLIGHTLY less well known is this: Never read the reviews before you finish the book. I read one saying "oh it's all well and good but it was obviously a tall tale, Steinbeck never did those things, he's a novelist, this is fiction." To say I am heartbroken sounds like a strain of the truth, but I can't help but feel a pang in a region suspiciously close to that most tender of organs.
All I can say is, I don't care. I choose to believe every word of it.
I unfortunately fell prey to one of the classic blunders (the most famous of course, is never get involved in a land war in Asia) but only SLIGHTLY less well known is this: Never read the reviews before you finish the book. I read one saying "oh it's all well and good but it was obviously a tall tale, Steinbeck never did those things, he's a novelist, this is fiction." To say I am heartbroken sounds like a strain of the truth, but I can't help but feel a pang in a region suspiciously close to that most tender of organs.
All I can say is, I don't care. I choose to believe every word of it.
jennajean's review against another edition
5.0
“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”
Steinback won my eternal admiration with this one line in Travels with Charley. I've known the quote since I was a child, and when I finally read the book, I found much more than validation about my own love for my home state. An excellent read for anyone with wanderlust or who can appreciate a good road trip.
Steinback won my eternal admiration with this one line in Travels with Charley. I've known the quote since I was a child, and when I finally read the book, I found much more than validation about my own love for my home state. An excellent read for anyone with wanderlust or who can appreciate a good road trip.