06/12/12 - 6PM - Open Book Club: Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck
I’ve been reading John Steinbeck’s Travels With Charley for the second time in my life over the past few days. The last time I read this book, I was traveling around the country in a van, sleeping in the back whenever I got tired, and talking to anyone who would carry a conversation with me. Tomorrow night, we invite you to join us in the store to discuss this controversial classic of the great American road trip!
Last year, the New York Times published an article by Charles McGrath that questioned the authenticity of Steinbeck’s reportage from the road. These suspicions, coupled with 10+ years of living my life between readings, have left me with an entirely different take on Steinbeck’s book.
Have you read this book? Are there any questions or topics you’d like discussed further? Does the level of authenticity of a book like this change the power of the romanticism that Steinbeck writes with throughout the book? How have your life experiences changed your reception of a book upon re-reading it?
Even if you can’t make it to book club, we’d love to hear any thoughts or questions you might have! Please leave a comment below.
Please join us at 6PM for Open Book Club’s discussion of Travels With Charley!
