An intriguing opportunity to compare two books written fifty year apart on the same subject was one not to be put aside. The subject was extended travel of rural America each covering much of the same ground.
Travels with Charlie
To their credit Penguin Books have produced a series of reprints which they have entitled Modern Classics – successful writers from the early and mid 20th Century. The reprints include seven of John Steinbeck’s books, I have been fortunate enough to catch up with one of these – ‘Travels with Charlie’.
I have read several good books of late, reading this one highlighted the margin between a good book and a really well written one. Rather like the revelation of the difference between wines when treated to an expensive bottle.
The book first published in 1960 is of a two month odyssey. Realising that he was reaching a mature age Steinbeck was concerned that he may have lost his taste for adventure. He also felt that with many years wandering the globe that he had lost touch with his own country.
His cure was to purchase a one ton truck and have a comfortable self contained dwelling built on the back. He set off, with his dog Charlie as companion, to encircle America, obsessively avoiding cities and main highways.
The intention was to observe and, where possible, connect with people as he went. He observed by eating at roadside diners or spending time sitting in country hotel bars and every Sunday attending a local church service – of a different denomination each time. He connected by chatting to the wayside garage proprietors and store owners as he shopped. Fellow campers were invited into his dwelling for a coffee – or something stronger – and a chat.
He shares his astute thoughts and careful observations with the reader through his conversations with Charlie as they drove. His big concern was of the consumerism which he saw, and which he considered, would inevitably bring financial ruin to many if not the whole country (an observation made fifty years ago). The sad spin off of this consumerism were the large retail blocks sprouting up in rural centres which were, in turn, killing off the surrounding small towns.
