Steinbeck struggled against poverty and a sense that his career as a writer might never happen until he published Tortilla Flat. After that the money started to come and so did critical acclaim. He structured Tortilla Flat on the Arthurian legends but most readers did not recognize the parallels. Not much left of that landscape near Monterey today.
From this time forward Steinbeck became increasingly secure financially and his reputation grew until he was one of America’s best loved writers. Just a few years later he published The Grapes of Wrath, regarded by most as a top 10 novel in American history.
In many respects Steinbeck was at his artistic best when he wrote about the Monterey Peninsula and his native Salinas, California.
As I tour the country following his great 1960 journey, I find late echoes of his deep commitment to the economically marginalized Americans. He admired and championed the people who just want a little piece of the American dream and find it difficult if even possible to succeed.
Over the next few months, Clay is shadowing Steinbeck’s 10,000-mile trek around the USA (and making a few detours of his own). Clay’s expedition is a central part of LTA’s big initiative to explore the country and take the pulse of America as it approaches its 250th birthday. Be sure to follow Clay’s adventures here and on Facebook — and subscribe to our newsletter.