Had I not been required to read Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck in AP English, I most likely would never have read it. I heard a couple of mixed feelings about the book from people who had previously read it, so I did not exactly go into it with a clean slate.

I received more negative reviews about it, so I started reading with the expectation of being disappointed. Ultimately, I dislike books more if I am forced to read them, even if they are a good read.

John Steinbeck wrote the book about his journey through America with his French poodle, Charley. Steinbeck?s goal of the book was to find a new America, to inspire his writing. He wished to rediscover the country that had propelled so many great ideas from him before.

Travels with Charley was not at all what I expected. It was a quick read, but also because I was required to read it in a certain amount of time. I presumed the book to be a step-by-step detailed account of Steinbeck?s journey through America. However, the book described big events in detail while skipping through the unneeded information.

The story started with his travels in New York as he drove his way through the North and rounded about through California. Steinbeck made his way through the South and eventually found his way back home. Ending his trip, Steinbeck expressed his feelings on being happy to see the trip end.

Steinbeck dealt with much controversy throughout the trip, finding it difficult to see his ?ideal? America. His travels throughout the South spurred many distasteful feelings from him, after seeing the discriminatory stance many people took against African Americans.

This book was extremely well written but left a little to be desired. I found myself zoning out at times, especially when he went into extreme detail about events that, I felt, were not introduced properly. I found myself being lost at many different points, wondering which city, let alone which state he was in.

The story did give me a better view on what America was like in the 1960s though. It was nice to see an authors opinion of America instead of a third-person view from a history text book. This book gave me a more personal perspective on events that occurred throughout that time period.

Although the book had its long stretches at times, it did have some many enticing moments. The way Steinbeck portrays Charley is very life-like. He makes Charley seem like a real person, sometimes making up sentences that Charley might say in response to him. It was refreshing to see a twist on another character put into the mix.

Steinbeck is a very talented writer. He was able to summarize his stories in a way that kept me intrigued, even though every once and a while it was a little long. Detail is good, but Steinbeck sometimes goes into too much detail which leaves me wanting to move onto the next thing sooner.

The ending of the book left me very satisfied. It was a very calming ending, giving me a sense of closure. Most books leave me upset with the ending, but this read came to a peaceful close with Steinbeck returning home, basking in the happiness he felt.

The story was a good story, but for me that is all it was; a good story. I’m sorry to say that I did not make some personal connection with any of the characters, maybe with the exception of Charley because of his carefree spirit.

I thought the book was a good read, but it would not have been my first choice. After reading the story, I would not go as far as to recommend it to others but I will give it props. It was as good as it could have been, while trying to describe what America was like in the 1960s.

Travels with Charley is available on Amazon or at most local bookstores.

For more reviews, read the Feb. 26 article, Predictable plot leaves audience disappointed (VIDEO).

Front page featured photo credited to Martin Schafer (Creative Common 3.0.)