When published, Travels with Charley was hailed as a great work of travel writing. In recent years it has been determined that Steinbeck made a lot of the stories up. Still the first 2/3 of the book are interesting and entertaining. His relationship with Charley and the quality of the writing are the best things about the book.

It was not as well liked as Olive Kittridge. Most members felt that it was well written, although many things were not explained fully. They enjoyed the discussion more then the actual book.

This is a wonderful, light book for book clubs coming off a heavy title. In the spirit of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, this book tells the story of a widower trying to find our about his wife's life before they met by tracing the people and stories represented on a hidden charm bracelet.