An extraordinary 4000-mile Odyssey across America's diverse landscapes.
In this captivating reimagining of Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie, a modern-day Odysseus, accompanied by his dog, navigates the U.S. highways along with the labyrinth of his own mind in a transformative journey. It is a tale that blends the introspective depth of Thoreau's Walden with Edward Abbey's Fools Progress and the restless spirit of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. From the deserts of Arizona to the badlands of North Dakota and the coasts of Maine, our protagonist encounters the spectral presence of legendary authors who have shaped America's literary consciousness and, through a reading list gone awry, guide his path. As he traverses the country, the ethereal wisdom of Edward Abbey, Everett Ruess, Mark Twain, and Walt Whitman guides his path. Even the indomitable spirit of Theodore Roosevelt materializes in the Badlands, offering direction when all seems lost. More than a mere road trip, this novel is a pilgrimage through the landscapes of both the heart and mind. It's an exploration of what it means to be truly American in an age of rapid change, echoing Steinbeck's own quest to rediscover his country.