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tarbou's review against another edition
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 While some of the language and terminologies are outdated (and cause a pang of nausea at times), it’s eye-opening and saddening that many of the observations and troubles facing the world in 1960 are largely the same.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 While some of the language and terminologies are outdated (and cause a pang of nausea at times), it’s eye-opening and saddening that many of the observations and troubles facing the world in 1960 are largely the same.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.
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this when I was in high school - about 4 or 5 years after it was first published. I recently revisited it via the audio book, performed by Gary Sinese
In 1960 John Steinbeck undertook to travel across America. He had lived in and traveled to various parts of the country, but longed “to hear the speech of the real America, to smell the grass and the trees, to see the colors and the light.” He bought and outfitted a truck, Rocinante, and with his French poodle, Charley, set out. His goal was not to visit typical tourist destinations but to get the feel of the country and its people. Along the way he met and conversed with many folks, including farmers, truckers, and waitresses. He traveled by interstate for part of the trip, but preferred the smaller roads, where he might come across a road-side stand selling local produce, fresh eggs, honey, or jams. He stopped in small towns and large cities; he visited with old friends, made new ones, and even encountered a bear in Yellowstone National Park. But mostly he enjoyed peace and quiet and a lot of time for thinking. His book is not just a travelogue but a series of essays on the American populace and on a way of life that was rapidly disappearing.
Gary Sinese has a facility with voices that really makes this work come alive. This is the second audio of a Steinbeck book that I’ve listened to with Sinese as narrator. I suspect he has a particular fondness for the author. He certainly performs the audios well.
In 1960 John Steinbeck undertook to travel across America. He had lived in and traveled to various parts of the country, but longed “to hear the speech of the real America, to smell the grass and the trees, to see the colors and the light.” He bought and outfitted a truck, Rocinante, and with his French poodle, Charley, set out. His goal was not to visit typical tourist destinations but to get the feel of the country and its people. Along the way he met and conversed with many folks, including farmers, truckers, and waitresses. He traveled by interstate for part of the trip, but preferred the smaller roads, where he might come across a road-side stand selling local produce, fresh eggs, honey, or jams. He stopped in small towns and large cities; he visited with old friends, made new ones, and even encountered a bear in Yellowstone National Park. But mostly he enjoyed peace and quiet and a lot of time for thinking. His book is not just a travelogue but a series of essays on the American populace and on a way of life that was rapidly disappearing.
Gary Sinese has a facility with voices that really makes this work come alive. This is the second audio of a Steinbeck book that I’ve listened to with Sinese as narrator. I suspect he has a particular fondness for the author. He certainly performs the audios well.
villagebi's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
tloring's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting observations from Steinbeck taken from the people and events he met and experienced while traveling from his then home in New York to California via a northern route and then returning through the southwest, Texas, the deep south and back to the Empire State.
I have read that Steinbeck fabricated many portions of the book. I do not know if this is true. It makes no real difference to me. The stories were poignant, in some cases funny, but mostly studied observations of the transformation occurring in the United States at this time. The trip was made in 1960, just eight short years before his death of heart disease. Loved the interactions with his dog, Charley, a large poodle.
This was an enjoyable read for me. My wife and I had stopped at the Steinbeck museum in Salinas back in 2013.
I have read that Steinbeck fabricated many portions of the book. I do not know if this is true. It makes no real difference to me. The stories were poignant, in some cases funny, but mostly studied observations of the transformation occurring in the United States at this time. The trip was made in 1960, just eight short years before his death of heart disease. Loved the interactions with his dog, Charley, a large poodle.
This was an enjoyable read for me. My wife and I had stopped at the Steinbeck museum in Salinas back in 2013.