We'll have a complete change of period, continent and genre for the CBG's next book. A week on Saturday (the 23rd.) we'll be talking about Alis Hawkins' Testament, but then we shall move from medieval England to the United States in 1960 and read our first non-fiction book, John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley: In Search of America.
Described by The New York Times Book Review as "pure delight, a pungent potpourri of places and people", here's the gist:
"Believing that a good, interesting life is marked by quality, not quantity, John Steinbeck took note of his itchy feet and prepared to travel. He was accompanied by his French poodle Charley, diplomat and watchdog, across the states of America from Maine to California. Moving through woods and forests, dirt tracks and highways to large cities and glorious wildernesses, Steinbeck observed America and the Americans with a humorous and sometimes sceptical eye."
Having only ever read some of Steinbeck's novels - and those years ago - this will be a new and welcome departure for me, and for you too, I hope. The book should be easily obtainable, both through libraries and retailers, but if you have any trouble getting hold of it, The Book Depository will supply it with free worldwide delivery. Let's open the discussion on it on Saturday, 20th. February.
oh a very interesting book.i have only read one book by steinbeck[of mice and men]in highschool and i welcome the opportunity to further my knowledge about him.i like time travelling too.
efi.
Posted by: efi | 14 January 2010 at 10:52 AM
Sounds interesting -- I must try to get hold of it.
Posted by: Harriet | 14 January 2010 at 12:17 PM
grapes of wrath is one of my all-time favourites. you may have lured me into participating in this.
Posted by: sophiefair | 14 January 2010 at 02:52 PM
I just put it on hold at my library. I haven't been able to keep up with the book club this last two months, but now that the holidays are over, I have higher hopes of quiet times.
Posted by: Jennifer | 14 January 2010 at 03:20 PM
Oh, thank you! I love this book, and all of Steinbeck. Of particular interest to me were his writings about North Dakota. He described how lonely he felt during a night camping on the wide-open prairie, and standing "where the West begins" at the Missouri River that divides my home city of Bismarck from its sister city of Mandan.
I highly recommend "The Winter of Our Discontent", "The Grapes of Wrath", "Of Mice and Men" and "East of Eden". The Gary Sinise-John Malkovich film "Of Mice and Men" is a (new)classic and is shown in high school English classes. And for a more light-hearted read, "Cannery Row".
PS - The prairie at night holds no fear for me, having grown up on the vast Northern Plains.
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 14 January 2010 at 05:20 PM
Splendid! Another bdfar favourite, one of my books of 2008, I think; those wanting to refer to my post (only after the CBG debate, of course) can go here: http://booksdofurnisharoom.typepad.com/books_do_furnish_a_room/2008/08/poodle-round-america.html
Posted by: Lindsay | 14 January 2010 at 10:55 PM
Ooo, I have only read The Red Pony by Steinbeck. This will be a new genre for me, and my library actually has it (a rare phenomenon indeed!).
Thanks for the heads up. I'm looking forward to reading along.
Susan in TX
Posted by: Susan in TX | 15 January 2010 at 02:01 AM
I love this book, so am glad of any excuse to re-read it. CBG count me in!
Posted by: Sarah | 15 January 2010 at 09:45 AM
I'm looking forward to this as I haven't read any Steinbeck since I was at school. I have just received this morning The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee and he's enthusing about Steinbeck in the first few pages.
Posted by: Mary McCartney | 15 January 2010 at 10:32 AM
I'm in, too. Adore John Steinbeck. Look forward to the discussion.
Posted by: Nicola | 31 January 2010 at 11:55 PM