I read Of Mice and Men years ago in high school. This is my second Steinbeck work, which might seem a strange choice since it is a reflection on many years of his life, and a rediscovery of an America he has written about for years. At age 60, Steinbeck decides to travel cross country with his French poodle Charley for three months exploring interstates, back roads, and small -town stores/diners to reflect on our vast country and the opinions/thoughts/lifestyles of the people who live here.
The opening to this book is just awesome. It's a beautifully crafted page detailing all the excuses we make at different ages not to do stuff- in this case, travel. Steinbeck also appreciates the beauty of Fall and the feeling of a chilly day, a man after my own heart: "And in the humid ever-summer I dare his picturing mind not to go back to the shout of color, to the clean rasp of frosty air, to the smell of pine wood burning and the caressing warmth of of kitchens. For how can one know color in perpetual green, and what good is warmth without cold to give it sweetness?" A most excellent argument for living in places with seasonal weather, especially the cold ones! Three cheers for Steinbeck!
Traveling books are inherently interesting to read regardless of the writer's skill (in my opinion of course!), because most of the enjoyment is living vicariously through the newness of the locations and experiences. However, coupled with Steinbeck's prose, this memoir exceeded most in quality. There was so much nostalgia in this book- from the usage of paper maps to the fascination he has with vending machine coffee and instant soups. When I had this book in a To Be Read video for my YouTube channel, a viewer commented that it would be impossible to do most of the stuff he does constantly on his travels- from the way he meets people, picks up hitchhikers, and allows strangers into his camper for a meal, conversation, and drinks. It's a sad reflection of our culture that we now have to be so guarded to maintain safety, but it's an unfortunate reality that can't be ignored.
Steinbeck writes poignantly about being present during one of the newsmaking Louisiana protests (in 1960) where protesters picket outside of a desegregated elementary school. The feeling of disappointment in the human race is heartbreaking and overwhelming in these pages, almost making you nauseous with the prejudice. He has a succinct way of describing the facts as he saw them that terrible day, and how far the country has to go in terms of race relations. We still do. Finally, I loved the end of his journey where he hopes he's presented a good picture of his travels, but will never have everything figured out- and wouldn't attempt to anyway. Regardless of whether you are a Steinbeck fan already, this travel memoir will not disappoint.
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