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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Steinbeck me fait rire, j'ai beaucoup aimé le retrouver MAIS j'ai un peu tiqué sur des propos racistes qu'il ne relevait pas et des soupçons de sa misogynie. Après ya des scènes de racisme vraiment trash et tu réalises qu'en effet, il ne doit pas voir les problèmes des propos de son amis quand le reste de la société en est encore à se battre pour que leurs enfants n'aillent pas à l'école avec des noirs...
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
My fiance gave this two stars. I thought it might be a solid three for me, so the four I am awarding here is certainly a pleasant surprise. (I've talked extensively in my other reviews about how my curiosity usually supersedes my anticipation of any pleasure; this ends up applying to a lot of white 20th-century male writers, even Steinbeck, who is one of my favorite among them.)
I've read my fair share of Steinbeck at this point, but in reading this I realized how very little I knew, and still know, about the man behind some of the 20th century's finest American literature. Reading his observations from his journey throughout the continental US became deeply absorbing. I quickly fell in love with Charley and grew to respect Steinbeck more and more.
I was surprised by how much here felt deeply relevant and could only help thinking how disappointed Steinbeck would be if he embarked on this tour today. The passages about the environment and how he disgusted he was by the amount of physical waste he saw really hit home. How much worse things are today, 60 years later, how much more waste we have created since then, with no end in sight.
Steinbeck himself admits early on that he didn't take notes or write hardly at all throughout this journey, so I did take a lot of the stories and especially the dialogue with a grain of salt. His aims and observations, however, were thoughtful, thought-provoking, and genuinely sincere.
I am so glad that I read this. Though it is a portrait of America in its own time, there is so much here to absorb, even as deep as we now are into the 21st century. Steinbeck's thoughtful writing, his dedication to the American landscape and psyche, continue to surprise and make me appreciate his work.
I've read my fair share of Steinbeck at this point, but in reading this I realized how very little I knew, and still know, about the man behind some of the 20th century's finest American literature. Reading his observations from his journey throughout the continental US became deeply absorbing. I quickly fell in love with Charley and grew to respect Steinbeck more and more.
I was surprised by how much here felt deeply relevant and could only help thinking how disappointed Steinbeck would be if he embarked on this tour today. The passages about the environment and how he disgusted he was by the amount of physical waste he saw really hit home. How much worse things are today, 60 years later, how much more waste we have created since then, with no end in sight.
Steinbeck himself admits early on that he didn't take notes or write hardly at all throughout this journey, so I did take a lot of the stories and especially the dialogue with a grain of salt. His aims and observations, however, were thoughtful, thought-provoking, and genuinely sincere.
I am so glad that I read this. Though it is a portrait of America in its own time, there is so much here to absorb, even as deep as we now are into the 21st century. Steinbeck's thoughtful writing, his dedication to the American landscape and psyche, continue to surprise and make me appreciate his work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism
Travels with Charley is John Steinbeck's retelling of the journey he took around America with his pet dog Charley. He describes a great counter-clockwise arc across the country leaving no major region unvisited. Notable incidents are included and his reflections on some of the people he encounters. Landscapes and the feelings they inspire are also frequently discussed. Generally, the incidents and countryside visited serve as a vehicle for deeper thoughts on the nature of Americans and life. And Steinbeck had some deep thoughts.
I can see myself revisiting this book in the future. It is the perfect companion book for anyone taking a trip. Enjoy!
I can see myself revisiting this book in the future. It is the perfect companion book for anyone taking a trip. Enjoy!
20 pages into this book I told myself I had to buy it. It is too quotable, too contemplative, too accessible to not have access to at all times.
Steinbeck uses his strong prose to articulate his thoughts, observations, and feelings about the journey. He tells his story of seeing the country and engaging with its people (and its cats), and offers a lot of timeless wisdom alongside the mundane.
This book is quotable, charming, engaging, and insightful... 57 years later. Should be everyone's intro to Steinbeck.
Steinbeck uses his strong prose to articulate his thoughts, observations, and feelings about the journey. He tells his story of seeing the country and engaging with its people (and its cats), and offers a lot of timeless wisdom alongside the mundane.
This book is quotable, charming, engaging, and insightful... 57 years later. Should be everyone's intro to Steinbeck.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Beautiful as a travelogue, a meditation on America and Americans, a celebration of the the dignity of people and of dogs, and as a historical document. And the writing! It is no news of course that John Steinbeck knows how to write with precision and heartbreaking empathy, but even with that high baseline this writing is exceptional.
"I was born lost and take no pleasure in being found."
Steinbeck is the American that got away, the one who pursued his desire to move and see every part of the country he was born in. He talks to people, crosses borders, shares meals and gets lost. He allows himself to be taken by the journey, not the other way around.
He talks a lot about roots, a significant theme throughout the memoir. How people are rooted into place, not just physically but mentally. America has grown rigid despite constant technological progress- in fact, it is precisely this progress which drives people further apart. Yet one must adapt to the world changing infinitively around them otherwise one will be left behind. To cite one of the conversations Steinbeck has, "You got roots you sit and starve."
Another thing Steinbeck reflects on is to embrace being lost, the will to take paths one did not initially plan on taking and accepting whatever comes one's way. It is the complete opposite of having roots, not being chained to the past or prejudice and instead embracing conversation.
To acknowledge that you are lost and unknowing but trying nonetheless.
An important addition to Steinbeck's repertoire which reveals the man behind the novels and makes one appreciate the complicated relationship he has with his country. Affection, despair, nostalgia, it's all America.
Steinbeck is the American that got away, the one who pursued his desire to move and see every part of the country he was born in. He talks to people, crosses borders, shares meals and gets lost. He allows himself to be taken by the journey, not the other way around.
He talks a lot about roots, a significant theme throughout the memoir. How people are rooted into place, not just physically but mentally. America has grown rigid despite constant technological progress- in fact, it is precisely this progress which drives people further apart. Yet one must adapt to the world changing infinitively around them otherwise one will be left behind. To cite one of the conversations Steinbeck has, "You got roots you sit and starve."
Another thing Steinbeck reflects on is to embrace being lost, the will to take paths one did not initially plan on taking and accepting whatever comes one's way. It is the complete opposite of having roots, not being chained to the past or prejudice and instead embracing conversation.
To acknowledge that you are lost and unknowing but trying nonetheless.
An important addition to Steinbeck's repertoire which reveals the man behind the novels and makes one appreciate the complicated relationship he has with his country. Affection, despair, nostalgia, it's all America.