#124. "The Wayward Bus" by John Steinbeck

Throughout John Steinbeck's "The Wayward Bus," he finds several characters stuck at a crossroads. As they await the repair of a bus, they begin to discuss their diverse backgrounds with others and try to make sense of why they are on the voyage together. As one of the great ethnographers of early 20th century American literature, Steinbeck's biggest gift is being able to take these diverse backgrounds and give each of them a humanity that shows the ecosystem of coastal California's bordering lifestyles. What results is a story that's full of humor, meaning, and heartbreak in equal measure, creating a snapshot of how everyone is striving to survive and the various ways they work towards that goal.
Like most of Steinbeck's lesser known novels, "The Wayward Bus" centers more around themes than a character. Each chapter moves around the various identities, taking some time to take in what they all mean. Their journey on the titular bus is meant to take them to some sense of happiness, but one has to wonder if that will be true. Maybe they have been happy all along. Whatever the case may be, Steinbeck has a way of capturing the morales and events of the era so clearly that the reader feels transported back to that time, able to picture vividly what was going on. By doing this, the mix of ideals begin to paint a portrait of California that is not often explored in part because it's not a grand, cinematic experience. It's just daily life and it's done with great nuance and heart that cements these momentary visits into something more meaningful.

The overall trajectory of "The Wayward Bus" may seem minimal, but it's still a story that manages to capture a moment so distinctly that it leaves behind power in those moments. It's where suddenly everyone puts aside their differences and openly shows compassion. The bus will continue down the road, but for now it's important to recognize who's sitting next to you and recognize that everyone has a story. America is a land of vast perspectives, and it's to Steinbeck's credit that he creates one of the most dimensional portraits of California that literature has seen. It may be far from glamorous but it captures the optimism and hope each shared even as they awaited the next stop on their journey. Sometimes it's not important to tell a big story. Sometimes it's just important to know why we're all here in the first place.