Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This was an amazing audio book. You can easily imagine it is John Steinbeck telling you about his trip across country with his dog while riding in the car with you. I loved it. Loved it loved it!
adventurous
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This was an interesting snapshot of America more than 50 years ago. Steinbeck took a trip across the United States (with his poodle, Charley) and recorded his observations and thoughts about what he saw. He didn't have much more direction than to get back in touch with the "true" America after writing about it for so many years, and this lack of direction leads to a lack of structure in the book. It's essentially the experience of going on a road trip, including his stops along the way to visit family members, which is not an unpleasant narrative jaunt to go on, but is rather scattershot in terms of providing any real sense of the country outside of Steinbeck's lengthy reflections. Steinbeck did not pace his trip terribly well, something he himself admits, so he spends a long time circling the entire outline of Maine near the beginning and then speeds through the entire southeast part of the country at the end when he wants to get home to New York for Christmas.
I enjoyed the read for Steinbeck's prose and the interesting observations, but it's not a book I'd go out of my way to recommend.
I enjoyed the read for Steinbeck's prose and the interesting observations, but it's not a book I'd go out of my way to recommend.
I don’t think I would have picked this up, but my book club chose it. I am so glad they did. This cross-country memoir is full of wonderful writing and so many insightful observations of people. The audio narration by Gary Sinuse is excellent. I look forward to listening to this again in 10 years.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
I love reading Steinbeck, his writing pulls me in. This book is such a treat, to hear him meandering through his descriptions and reflections on the people and places he goes by. Anything and everything ..... just hammering out ..... in his perfectly entertaining style. I love reading Steinbeck.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Started reading this while on a road trip, but I think it's equally moving to read at home on the couch. Beautiful prose, honest portrayals of the people he met, and the occasional problematic sentiment make this book classic Steinbeck. Definitely one to return to again and again.
I have never enjoyed Steinbeck's novels, but this short travelogue was perfect. Steinbeck has a keen eye for observation, and he takes the reader, along with his dog, across the United States, describing people, culture, and landscape as he goes. He's honest with himself, funny about his dog, and angry at injustice. It was interesting to consider how the USA has changed since then, but also how we still struggle with so many issues. Plus, the chapter about Texas was spot-on!
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced