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  • Travels with Charley: In Search of America

  • Penguin Modern Classics
  • By: John Steinbeck, Jay Parini
  • Narrated by: Gary Sinise
  • Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (82 ratings)

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Travels with Charley: In Search of America cover art

Travels with Charley: In Search of America

By: John Steinbeck, Jay Parini
Narrated by: Gary Sinise
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

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 40 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.

©1962 John Steinbeck (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Delightful. This is a book to be read slowly for its savor.'" (The Atlantic)

What listeners say about Travels with Charley: In Search of America

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  • 12-11-22

Brilliant narration, great story

Gary Sinese narrates the story brilliantly.
Really engrossing story based on real events. A great listen.

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Has anyone ever written better about dogs?!

Evocative, honest and occasionally funny portrait of America at the cusp of great change. So good I’m going to buy it in print as well. Great reading too

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the diversity of the USA

good narrative vast diversity of the USA great narration John Steinbeck is a great writer

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Narrator is excellent - does so many voices it’s impressive!

Great story, covers important topics especially at the end, great insight to life in 1960 and how nothing really ever changes….

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Exceptional !

A great listen from start to finish but you'd expect no less from John Steinbeck.

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Travel envy? Yes but ,,,,

Such a reflective, non judgemental re view. Beautifully narrated. Steinbeck in great form And and and

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A real gem!

This record of Steinbeck’s road trip with his sagacious poodle Charley in their stalwart camper van Rocinante is everything you would expect from Steinbeck. Insightful, thought-provoking and very enjoyable.

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A joy to listen to

Having travelled the US with work it was incredible to hear the journey from the writer’s view point. His eloquence and vivid description of everything he saw kept me hooked !

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Fantastically narrated

Great story of John Steinbeck”s travels with his dog rediscovering America after many years of living in New York. Sharp and
humorous observations and a good pace. Truly enhanced by Gary Sinise’s superb
narration.

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Great trip with Steinbeck and Charlie

What a wonderful jaunt around the States with J S’s fantastic eye for the heart of the matter in each encounter and observation. I just loved the narrator’s tone and interpretation of the text. And Charlie was the best travelling companion ever.

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