Book Review: Travels With Charley

To be a good writer you must be a good reader. And that’s a nice responsibility to have, because reading excellent writing is an enjoyable task.

It’s especially rewarding when the writer is as skilled as John Steinbeck.

If the experience of reading Steinbeck can be summed up with one word, that word is “joy.” Joy at the exuberance of his writing. The skill, the deftness, the clever observation. The way he imbues his characters with a sparse sense of wit. How he makes natural scenery come alive, from the clouds to the trees.

In Steinbeck’s writing, mundane life becomes profound. Every waitress, every shopkeeper has a backstory. It’s a style of writing where one skillfully placed word conveys an entire chapter’s worth of information.

To read Steinbeck is to spend an evening in the company of greatness. Every aspiring writer should read Steinbeck. Not only because he is a first rate writer- but because reading Steinbeck is a rollicking good time.

Travels with Charley was not Steinbeck’s most famous novel. It has nowhere near the name recognition of his legendary works such as Cannery Row and Of Mice And Men, or The Grapes Of Wrath.

John Steinbeck is often celebrated for his classic novels that explore the human condition, from the devastation of the Great Depression in The Grapes of Wrath to the struggles of friendship and ambition in Of Mice and Men. Yet, one of his lesser-known works, Travels with Charley: In Search of America, holds its own as a profound meditation on aging, identity, and the America of the 1960s.

Written in 1962, Travels with Charley is Steinbeck’s personal account of his journey across the United States, undertaken in a custom-made truck with his beloved poodle, Charley. Steinbeck was in his late 50s at the time, and the book reveals the deep introspection that accompanied his road trip. He wanted to reacquaint himself with the country he had written about so extensively in his earlier works and to examine the changes that had occurred since his youth.

At its core, Travels with Charley is not just a travelogue, but a reflection on the state of America, the passage of time, and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world. It is an insightful portrait of the America of the early 1960s, with Steinbeck documenting everything from the bustling cities of the East Coast to the barren deserts of the West. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters: from small-town folk to larger-than-life personalities, each with their own stories to tell. These encounters are filled with humor, warmth, and, at times, sorrow, as Steinbeck seeks to understand the American people and the social landscape that shaped their lives.

One of the most striking aspects of Travels with Charley is Steinbeck’s ability to bring the landscapes he encounters to life. His descriptions of nature are vivid and poetic, transforming ordinary sights into profound moments of reflection. Whether he is describing the vast emptiness of the Great Plains or the rugged coastline of California, Steinbeck’s lyrical prose paints a picture of a country that is both beautiful and heartbreaking in its complexity.

Yet, it is not just the physical journey that Steinbeck documents—it is also his personal journey. As he traverses the nation, he wrestles with his own feelings of alienation. In one of the book’s most poignant moments, Steinbeck reflects on his own age, remarking that the country seems to have changed in ways he cannot fully comprehend. He writes with a sense of melancholy, as he finds himself increasingly distanced from the world he once knew. This exploration of aging and identity gives the book a depth and emotional resonance that sets it apart from more conventional travel narratives.

The heart of Travels with Charley is the relationship between Steinbeck and his dog, Charley. Charley, a faithful companion, offers both solace and companionship on the road. Through their conversations, Steinbeck contemplates the nature of friendship and loyalty, and Charley becomes a symbol of the simpler, more enduring values that Steinbeck holds dear. The book’s title speaks to this dynamic—Charley is not merely a pet, but a partner in the search for understanding, a sounding board for Steinbeck’s reflections.

Steinbeck’s interactions with the people he meets on his journey are also a central theme of the book. His observations are both sharp and compassionate, offering insight into the American character. He encounters a diverse range of individuals—from truck drivers to farmers, from hotel owners to social activists—and through these encounters, he explores issues of race, class, and identity. The conversations are candid, and Steinbeck’s ability to engage with strangers on a deep, personal level reflects his belief in the importance of human connection. His interactions are sometimes humorous, sometimes unsettling, but always thought-provoking.

Despite its relatively low profile compared to Steinbeck’s more famous novels, Travels with Charley is a compelling read for anyone interested in the author’s perspective on the America he so masterfully depicted in his earlier works. It is a book that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human—to seek meaning, to grapple with loss and change, and to find joy in the simple, everyday moments of life.

Travels with Charley is more than just a travel story—it is an exploration of what it means to be a writer, a citizen, and an individual. Steinbeck’s reflections on aging, his love for his country, and his observations on the people he meets make the book a valuable work for any reader, whether they are familiar with his previous works or new to his writing. It is a gentle, yet powerful reminder of the importance of taking the time to truly observe the world around us and to understand the lives of those who share it with us.

In conclusion, Travels with Charley may not have the widespread recognition of Steinbeck’s more famous works, but it is a remarkable piece of literature that captures the essence of the American spirit. It offers readers a window into the soul of the author, as well as a deeper understanding of the country he loved. For those seeking a thoughtful, reflective, and deeply human story, Travels with Charley is a book that should not be overlooked.