Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

I’ll travel anywhere with John Steinbeck. I also don’t need exciting, riveting stories; life isn’t like that on the daily. The softer, more introspective stories are a true reflection of life. This book is so lovely. It’s my 2nd favorite by him.

this is great thanks

Reading the book now for the second time and enjoying it just as much as the first time. I like the relationship Steinbeck has with his dog, Charley. He also uses Charley as a foil for saying some things about the foibles of humanity.

I listen to this book a few times a year. It’s my bandaid to stop the wondering blues. I never believed that Steinbeck actually took the trip. He might have visited every place at one point or another and just combined his notes when he felt like it. Anyway, this book is my comfort food and I just can’t get enough of it.

I just finished this a few days ago. I enjoyed it. There were some great observations but my favourite thing was his relationship with Charley and his interpretations of what Charley was thinking and feeling. Great video. I totally missed the relevance of name of the truck so thanks for pointing it out 😀

I've read three times. I enjoyed your critique and I agree he didn't actually go to all the places he discussed but his observations were spot on for the time period and relate to the U.S. we live in today. He was not actually in good health when took this trip probably as you know and had to take his wife Elaine on a majority of it . If you read life in letters he actually talks about this. I've seen the vlog of the guy who followed his trip. I think he's more disillusioned that he didn't actually take the whole journey but whatever its a great book and a fun read camping in your VW bus under the stars.

Great video! I know it was 3 years ago but I found it :) 😊 I wondered if anyone had any book recommends that are more aligned with Wild by Cheryl or NomadLand.

Re: it's "exciting" factor - I think it's actually fitting that the book meanders a bit more than be filled with excitement, because that's how his trip went.

Thank you for your narrative I am on this path

You’re very bright and a great speaker. I totally agree with your insight about the book. The few quotes you cited makes this work a masterpiece.

Man, You're very good with words; you say something so deep, so simply and with great examples that anyone can really comprehend it👍🏾

I read this many years ago alongside reading Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon which was first published in the early 80's. I think they make for interesting companion reads. Both these books inspired my to take "the scenic route" rather than the interstate when planning roadtrips around the US & Canada, Consequently I have sought out little "Mom & Pop" establishments & have had wonderful encounters with people you would never have had conversations with in some big chain/fast food establishment.

your perspective on this book sounds more interesting than the book itself! i like the instagrammable quotes, i would share those to my story. ive only read east of eden but i loved it, i still need to read of mice & men and the grapes of wrath

Nice analysis. I read this book in the ‘70’s when the news Canadians were seeing from the States had commentary that Steinbeck had observed. If you like a slow moving travel log try Travels with my donkey by R. L. Stevenson.

This one is on my list of stuff to get to sooner rather than later :D

Heh, you revealed yourself to be a cat person when you said this was "not popular," because this is every dog person's favourite Steinbeck! 😜 When he didn't have the right papers to cross the border with Charley? That exact same thing happened to me in 2015! 🤣

Blue Highways, by William Least Heat- Moon, has been compared to this book.

Geert Matt wrote a nice book in 2014 after his travel around Steinbeck's America. I recommend it.

I read this so long ago I should probably re-read it now. Is that you holding out the apple with your hair all piled up in the new thumbnail photo?

That’s pretty impressive that someone dedicated a while blog and YouTube channel to debunking this book! I think the people who are truly living a simple life away from it all, probably aren’t on YouTube 😉