Travels with Charley
In Search of America
By John Steinbeck
Introduction by Jay Parini
Harry Hartog's review
After decades as one of America’s greatest writers, Steinbeck felt out of touch with his country and its people, so he set off in a custom-fitted camper truck with his old French poodle Charley and traversed the country from Long Island to California and back. America is diverse and full of contradictions, and Steinbeck’s observations on the challenges facing the U.S. are as relevant today as they were when he made his journey in 1960. This book gave me itchy feet: I just want to hop in my car and go road-tripping across Australia with my Labradors! - Renee, Harry Hartog Marrickville
Description
A witty, incisive classic of road-trip literature, from one of the great champions and critics of the American identity
'Delightful. This is a book to be read slowly for its savor.' The Atlantic
In 1960, John Steinbeck set out in his pick-up truck with his dog Charley to rediscover and chronicle his native USA, from Maine to California.
He felt that he might have lost touch with its sights, sounds and the essence of the American people. Moving through the woods and deserts, dirt tracks and highways to large cities and glorious wildernesses, Steinbeck observed - with remarkable honesty, insight and a humorous eye - the gamut of America and the people who inhabited it.
His 10,000-mile journey took him through almost forty states, where he saw things that made him proud, angry, sympathetic and elated. A rugged and passionate adventure of self-identity, Steinbeck's vision of the changing world still speaks to us prophetically through the decades.
- ISBN:
- 9780141186108
- Format:
- Paperback / softback
- Pages:
- 240
- Published:
- Publisher:
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Imprint:
- Penguin Classics
- Weight:
- 180 g