adventurous reflective slow-paced

Great first read of Steinbeck.  I will be coming back to more of Steinbeck soon.

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Every time I go for more than a couple of years without reading Steinbeck, I forget how brilliant he was. I read this with my AP English class, and most of them complained throughout about how rambling it was. Some day they'll realize that it's more often than not the journey that counts. I loved every minute!

I loved this becuase it is the only happy Steinbeck book I have ever read

Steinbeck's writing is impeccable. His journey was fascinating, and I especially enjoyed his descriptions of the America he saw. The California part was uncomfortably close to my experience with having moved around so much. Going back 'home' leaves me feeling uprooted and disconnected. The day with the 'cheerleaders', as the last big event in the book, left me melancholy. Even so, the man wrote enviable sentences that make me want to read or reread his other books.
medium-paced

I listened to this one. I enjoyed the character Steinbeck portrays himself to be in his musings on his travels. I found the peek at who he was more interesting than many of his commentaries. I definitely wondered several times during the book if all the adventures were true or if there was some embellishing that went on. The bits about the dog were amusing though with the dog being in the title I had expected the dog to play a much bigger role.
adventurous emotional reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

This is my first book of John Steinbeck, and it was a good choice to read about America from an author whose writing is very straightforward and blunt to the point. Travelling with a dog and all over the huge country and different regions. The cultural differences and author's personal struggle of understanding black people's issues needs another re-read in the future. Interested to read more of his books.

I like everything written by Steinbeck. He is a great storyteller and writes true to who he is. I like him as a person too.