The Car

By: Gary Paulsen

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Fourteen-year-old Terry has parents who never paid him much attention. So when they both disappear after one of their all-too-frequent arguments, Terry isn’t exactly eager for them to come home. On his own, he occupies himself by assembling a car kit that’s been collecting dust in the garage for years. When the car is finished, Terry is pleased to discover it actually runs. Though he doesn’t know much about driving, he gets behind the wheel and heads west, with the notion of visiting an uncle in Oregon.

But Terry’s plan takes a detour when he meets Shakespeare-quoting wanderer Waylon Jackson. The aging Vietnam vet has seen and done extraordinary things, and he is still hungry to learn more. With Waylon as his copilot, Terry ends up in locales as varied as a religious commune, a poker game in Deadwood, and Custer’s Last Stand. It’s an exciting and sometimes dangerous journey. Along the way, he learns a lot about people, about America - and ultimately, about himself.

©2006 Gary Paulsen (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Besides evoking a type of independence and tough-mindedness that will appeal to teens, this provocative novel introduces and explores some interesting philosophies of life while stressing the value of learning from experience.” (Publishers Weekly)

entertaining enough

it was a entertaining story that didn't drag on. it is a juvenile type of writing and story but I enjoyed the drive in my car and it kept me awake.

worth the read!

Loved it. Great Story by Paulsen. The reader made Waylon sound a little Slingblade-ish - otherwise, his performance was outstanding.

a wonderful adventure ✨️

I have read this book and followed the audio book and author. it is a wonderful tail for anyone who wants to escape.

Another Paulsen at his best

Just like I remember from middle school but having it I'm out audible it's amazing. I usually stream music but this book was one of the 1st books I remember checking out and different things happened to different people. The narrator was very good depicting each character and Gary doesn't amazing job putting you right there with them. I wish I could read this and hear it for the 1st time again.

Gary Paulson is one of the best story tellers

Grew up reading his books and going back through them as an adult they are just as good if not better than when I was a kid. Fantastic performance for a fantastic story.