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lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
I've heard there's reason to doubt that the events related in this 1962 travelogue actually happened as written, but if you take everything at face value, it's a lovely tale of author John Steinbeck's leisurely drive around the country with only his dog for company. The resulting observations feel effortlessly charming and surprisingly timeless, from the writer's spontaneous interactions with people he meets on the road -- again, allegedly -- to his worry that local accents and customs might be disappearing in favor of a nationwide uniformity. The novelist was in poor health and aware he was likely nearing the end of his life during this trip, but his tone is largely wistful and warm as he reflects on what constitutes a fulfilling existence and seeks in vain to distill his experiences into a succinct summary of America's national character(s).
This book is a time capsule of a particular moment in history, especially for Steinbeck's well-meaning but clumsy efforts to address race in the final section (with a shrug that he's never understood bigotry himself and a fascinated puzzlement at the angry white crowds protesting six-year-old Ruby Bridges integrating the public schools of New Orleans). Simultaneously, however, much of the text reads as though it could have come from someone hitching a small cabin to their truck and going on a similar journey today. If an acquaintance returned from vacation and started quoting certain passages at you, you might not even notice anything amiss. That's just the sort of nonfiction this is, that it intuitively feels true -- whether it's ultimately been reported accurately or not.
[Content warning for antisemitism and racial slurs.]
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This book is a time capsule of a particular moment in history, especially for Steinbeck's well-meaning but clumsy efforts to address race in the final section (with a shrug that he's never understood bigotry himself and a fascinated puzzlement at the angry white crowds protesting six-year-old Ruby Bridges integrating the public schools of New Orleans). Simultaneously, however, much of the text reads as though it could have come from someone hitching a small cabin to their truck and going on a similar journey today. If an acquaintance returned from vacation and started quoting certain passages at you, you might not even notice anything amiss. That's just the sort of nonfiction this is, that it intuitively feels true -- whether it's ultimately been reported accurately or not.
[Content warning for antisemitism and racial slurs.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
feathersandflora's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
michaelapr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
Steinbeck searches for America and finds that it is full of paradoxes just like he is. I suppose in searching for America, Steinbeck truly discovers himself as he reckons with his younger self, his present self, and the reputation he has developed as an author. For the most part this is a good read, even if it is slower paced. This is also a snapshot of an America in 1962, where Ruby Bridges is going to school with grown adults screaming at her and JFK is about to become President. It's an America that should be far from this one but it's really not - it's the present America but on simmer. It's pretty interesting to see, and maybe a little depressing too.
pinkydink70's review against another edition
funny
5.0
I rate simply: 5 = liked it, 3 = meh, and 1 = didn't like it.
jaralfredo's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.75
sylviacoogan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0