Lori’s review of Travels with Charley: In Search of America > Likes and Comments

So are you saying that the travels Steinbeck describes were fabricated? He never took Charley along? I'm confused.

He mostly made it up. His wife traveled with him a lot of the time, so could be she brought her dog. He did not rough it. And, how chatting with the locals could you squeeze into a 75 day road trip of over 10,000 miles.
I've run across work by other travel writers, who attribute discrepancies to the fact that Steinbeck never came closer than the hotel 200 miles away.
The disclaimer in the 50th anniversary edition, 2012, is kind.

Indeed, it would be a mistake to take this travelogue too literally, as Steinbeck was at heart a novelist, and he added countless touches – changing the sequence of events, elaborating on scenes, inventing dialogue – that one associates more with fiction than nonfiction.
It should be kept in mind, when reading this travelogue, that Steinbeck took liberties with the facts, inventing freely when it served his purposes, using everything in the arsenal of the novelist to make this book a readable, vivid narrative. The book remains 'true' in the way all good novels or narratives are true. That is, it provides an aesthetic vision of America at a certain time. The evocation of its people and places stay forever in the mind, and Steinbeck’s understanding of his country at this tipping point in its history was nothing short of extraordinary. It reflects his decades of observation and the years spent in honing his craft.

He died a few years after the book came out. So maybe, the trip was on his bucket list, but failing health trumped a willing spirit.

Lori wrote: "He mostly made it up. His wife traveled with him a lot of the time, so could be she brought her dog. He did not rough it. And, how chatting with the locals could you squeeze into a 75 day road trip..."

Wow...I had no idea, Lori!!! I have to say I am disappointed.... :(

Exactly! It goes on a list with Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter.
I'm still mad about Little Tree.

Lori wrote: "Exactly! It goes on a list with Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter.
I'm still mad about Little Tree."

And wasn't A MILLION LITTLE PIECES supposed to be some kind of a hoax?

I heard that. They push all the right buttons. Your all happy until a vicious kick from reality hits.

A shame....

That is too bad because I really liked the book years ago, and then I heard this much later.

Yep, the book hits a lot of favorite chords. I was disappointed, but a lot of people still love it while aware that it's storytelling.

Lori wrote: "Yep, the book hits a lot of favorite chords. I was disappointed, but a lot of people still love it while aware that it's storytelling."

That would make it rather hard to do, because I prefer true stories over fiction when it comes to travel or adventure books

Lori wrote: "Yep, the book hits a lot of favorite chords. I was disappointed, but a lot of people still love it while aware that it's storytelling."

Not me! I feel cheated after I found out the truth, thanks to you, Lori! :) I took TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE off my shelf and put it on the "free shelf" at our public library.

There, there... Time heals all most wounds. :)

Lori wrote: "There, there... Time heals all most wounds. :)"

I feel better with the book gone ;)

There you go!

Jessaka wrote: "That would make it rather hard to do, because I..."

Yes, I give a lot of credit to someone telling about a trip that they made.

This is soooooo disappointing! I had really liked the book. I hate it when fiction is sold as non-fiction. I'll withdraw my rating.

Lilo wrote: "This is soooooo disappointing! I had really liked the book. I hate it when fiction is sold as non-fiction. I'll withdraw my rating."

I am terribly disappointed by it, but there is no reason that you can't still enjoy it.🤕

Lori wrote: "Lilo wrote: "This is soooooo disappointing! I had really liked the book. I hate it when fiction is sold as non-fiction. I'll withdraw my rating."

I am terribly disappointed by it, but there is no ..."

I already read it several years ago. And I did enjoy it while assuming that it was non-fiction.

After reading your review, Lori, I read all these defenses of Steinbeck's fabrications as unimportant by English professors. Surely, they all came to James Frey's defense after he wrote A Million Little Pieces.

Oh wow, good to know.

Garrett wrote: "After reading your review, Lori, I read all these defenses of Steinbeck's fabrications as unimportant by English professors. Surely, they all came to James Frey's defense after he wrote A Million L..."
Oh, I don't know people can be kind of funny, when they pick and choose what's defensible or indefensible.

Ailsa wrote: "Oh wow, good to know."

Thank you!

Lilo wrote: I already read it several years ago. And I did enjoy it while assuming that it was non-fiction

So, you've got that. I'm sure that a lot people consider the fabrications unimportant. Just imagine how Bill Steigerwald felt, he started out trying to reproduce Steinbeck's original trip.

I give a credit for credentials. So, I want the experience lived, the trip taken, or the academic certification earned to be detectable.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/boo...
http://www.post-gazette.com/books/201...
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/book-r...

Pointedly stated n honest review, Lori!

All non-fiction, if it is any good, has invention in it. But I'll admit while I was (in a good way) devastated by the great writing, the moral insights, and the fact that "it provides an aesthetic vision of America at a certain time," that felt "true" to me, that I also was devastated by what I could bear to read of Bill Steigerwald's account. I didn't have the stomach to go through the whole story, but I am putting both of them on my list, one to reread. The Little Tree story I did read into, and it is a fascinating story. I do think all the three of the above mentioned stories are really well written, compelling, emotionally engaging, and have changed lives!! Then we find they are "lies," and have to eventually readjust to fiction vs non-fiction.

Diane wrote: "Pointedly stated n honest review, Lori!"Thank you!

David wrote: "All non-fiction, if it is any good, has invention in it. But I'll admit while I was (in a good way) devastated by the great writing, the moral insights, and the fact that "it provides an aesthetic ..."
Well stated and fair points! I'm a sucker for good writing, that's the problem. Yes, the two that I have read are emotionally engaging and compelling. The deception seems like a dirty trick. I'm not lobbying that they be burned or banned. The readjustment period isn't pretty. Besides, banning a book only increases its popularity.

I was under the impression that the mostly fiction status of Travels with Charley: In Search of America was common knowledge. It seems like I've run across references of the discrepancies in his accounts for longer than eight years.

If you are writing about adventures and observations while traveling around the country with your dog, as Steinbeck supposedly was, I don't want and "imagined" trip based on that scenario. A little embellishment is one thing, but don't advertise a travel log as non-fiction if most of the account is fabricated.

In other words, don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.

J.K. wrote: "If you are writing about adventures and observations while traveling around the country with your dog, as Steinbeck supposedly was, I don't want and "imagined" trip based on that scenario. A little..."

Sometimes that readjustment period just doesn't work. 💕

Not in this case.... ;)

Oh bummer, I love everything Steinbeck. Have not read this one though. Sorry it was a dud, Lori.

Marialyce wrote: "Oh bummer, I love everything Steinbeck. Have not read this one though. Sorry it was a dud, Lori."

Thank you! I hope that we enjoy our next books.🙄💕⛅

Fraudulent travels, yeesh. I'm glad our era is all about the truth.

Oh! You're funny!😁

Bill Bryson is pretty honest like that. He'll say something and then he'll go: "I made that up." (So, maybe it's his way of saying he is on to this game. )

Jerry wrote: "Bill Bryson is pretty honest like that. He'll say something and then he'll go: "I made that up." (So, maybe it's his way of saying he is on to this game. )"

Maybe so, I've run across a few people who will tell you the most outrageous lie just to see if you're dumb enough to believe it. It's too bad not everyone has Bill Bryson's charm.

Agreed, Lori!

At least I know that Bryson actually traveled the Appalachian Trail ;)

😉

Great review, Lori, and thanks for the warning. If I want a poppyseed roll, don't try to sell me a lemon flavored roll! I don't care how good it is, give me what I want or don't sell it!

Joe wrote: "Great review, Lori, and thanks for the warning. If I want a poppyseed roll, don't try to sell me a lemon flavored roll! I don't care how good it is, give me what I want or don't sell it!"

Thanks, Joe!

I thought everybody hated false advertising. ;)

Joe wrote: "Great review, Lori, and thanks for the warning. If I want a poppyseed roll, don't try to sell me a lemon flavored roll! I don't care how good it is, give me what I want or don't sell it!"

Amen, brother! ;)

I did some research, John Steinbeck did make this trip, not sure why you’re calling it fraudulent. There are some dates and parts he edited, and some critics have claimed he needs to publish it as non-fiction, but the narrative and things he saw are purely fact. It was his last chance to see America before he died, and I think the beautiful sentiment he leaves us with more than makes up for some fudged dates or left out details.

Madison wrote: "I did some research, John Steinbeck did make this trip, not sure why you’re calling it fraudulent. There are some dates and parts he edited, and some critics have claimed he needs to publish it as ..."

I'm glad that you enjoyed the read.

That Steinbeck freely invented in his account is acknowledged by his publisher since 2012. While Bill Steigerwald attempt to duplicate the trip prompted his original 2011 article, "Sorry, Charley," he is not alone in concluding that it is a pure nonfiction travelogue.

“Stories may well be lies, but they are good lies that say true things, and which can sometimes pay the rent.”
― Neil Gaiman

I never knew Steinbeck had made up parts of this account. I wasn't bowled over by it anyway but would have been still less impressed had I known.

Mind you there are other memoirs and travelogues I've read where some of the details have rang false. I suppose writers will always claim a degree of licence.

Ian wrote: "I never knew Steinbeck had made up parts of this account. I wasn't bowled over by it anyway but would have been still less impressed had I known.

Mind you there are other memoirs and travelogues I..."

Fair enough!

Wow, took me by surprise. Explains why I like it more than usual travelogues. I am still enjoying it . I guess I am adjusting:) and I am a sucker for fiction. Just wish it would be not under non-fiction so we wouldn’t feel cheated in some way

Victoriya wrote: "Wow, took me by surprise. Explains why I like it more than usual travelogues. I am still enjoying it . I guess I am adjusting:) and I am a sucker for fiction. Just wish it would be not under non-fi..."

Nice points. I'm glad you are enjoying it!

Not true this is a lie. He went on the trip and wrote about it and took his dog.

They have his truck that he used for the trip in a museum in california - I’ve seen it :) super cool

Shame on you. An author can incorporate fiction with nonfiction as the master Steinbeck does do. This put down reminds me of the professors I chose for my oral exam in grad school. They ridiculed me because I chose Steinbeck as one of chosen three writers to discuss. I adore this author--a true master of life and writing...and he loved dogs.