Travels with Charley in Search of America

A middle aged man and his dog go on an adventure. They leave their comfortable life to meet people and see parts of America unknown. This memoir is sweet and touching, Mr. Steinbeck clearly loves people and his special dog Charley. I had to give an extra star to this book for the authors spot-on (no pun intended ) description of Charley, his standard poodle. I dare say they are all alike, and yet we who own and care for Standards think each of ours is so very unique.
A nice read, a kind man and his pup meet people and reflect. I liked this book quite a lot.

There is something about Gary Sinise's voice that is perfect for Steinbeck. I thoroughly enjoyed this audio version of one of my favorite books.

Steinbeck's gift to travelers.

When Charley got well.

Steinbeck. A friend who knew John Steinbeck say that Gary Sinise sounds just like him with the same inflections. Sinise did a superb job on this narration, perhaps one of the best audio books I've listened too from a narration standpoint.

The story is read unabridged and runs 20 plus hours. It need to be savored over several days driving time (preferably while on a road trip.

This was John Steinbeck's last work (some two years after his Nobel Prize) and I suspect he knew he was dying. This is not classic Steinbeck, but rather an insight into the man himself. We should all have a companion as tolerant as Charley (his poodle).

For me, yes. I started the print version a year ago and got about half way through. When I saw there was an audio, I bought it and listened to it each day on my short commute. I took my time with it and felt like I was along for the ride.

There were many memorable moments. Difficult to select only one. When he met the man who lived in a mobile home and how it gave me a different perspective on folks that choose mobile homes over permanent homes.

I appreciated how Gary Sinise brought the story and characters to life. It felt very real to me.

What I did feel with this book is a sense of reflection. I am a writer, an observer, a traveler of the mind, so it prompted me to reflect on my own experiences and the people I run into in my local travels. It was a very human book, relevant now, just as much as when it was written.

Charley added something special to the story. I felt myself smiling a lot, letting out a few laughs, and reflecting a bit.

Very well written and read. It was recommended by an eighty year old friend. Fanastic choice.

The chapter which covered the desegragation with schools. It still amazes me of the ignorance not to many yeas ago, and still now with some people. It was very disturbing.

I had not. He was amazing. I have always loved his performances and his read was just as fantastic. Would love more.

I wanted too...not possible with time.

Worth "reading"... Story captures your wunderlust in the first few minutes. Steinbeck lives on Long Island, but longs to visit the USA and its people. Charlie, his poodle, is the perfect, silent traveling companion. The people Steinbeck meets along the way provide the adventure.If you're ever in Salinas, you have to visit the National Steinbeck Center. Rocinante was on exhibit the last time I was there. It was Steinbeck's vessel for his journey of a lifetime.

Rocinante, because the mighty machine provided the adventure.

Gary has a great voice and provides colorful reflection on the author's words.

Steinbeck starting out and finding his stuff scattered all over Rocinante. Out of choas came order?

I had read it years ago and now listened to it. I will listed again in the future. There is so much in the book.

Steinbeck (for me) is truly the last, great American author. Steinbeck puts the Reader right in the passenger seat. He is filled with so many cogent insights & epitaphs about America . . . an America we find out hasn't changed all that much.

Hearing descriptive writing of the characters Steinbeck encounters.

Easy-going style

Charley, the poodle

No

I was hoping for more detail about American life in the sixties. Steinbeck does touch on aspects of this time, but I was hoping for more. It is a straight account of Steinbeck's trek across the country, and it is good, but it's not a story story as you may expect. It goes a little long about Charley, Steinbeck's poodle, however, it is certainly worth a listen. For me, the ending is hilarious, and I found myself laughing about it several times for weeks after my listen. (I won't say here though!)

There seemed very little characters development. The author should have added life to the people he encountered along his travels.

The narrator spoke so slowly it was almost painful to listen to. I had to listen to this at 2x speed.