The Wayward Bus

The Wayward Bus, published in 1947, was American author John Steinbeck’s 16th book. The Wayward Bus is a character-driven narrative that follows a bus journey to the fictional San Juan de la Cruz, California. The preparations and the journey itself keep characters in the throes of internal crises, which they are eager to keep hidden from the other passengers. In this novel, multiple characters grapple with their pasts and the unpredictability of their futures. The Wayward Bus explores the stasis of human existence, the resentment of depending on others, and the ways people use dreams and fantasy as an escape from their circumstances.

The Wayward Bus was adapted into a Hollywood film in 1957. Starring Joan Collins, among other Hollywood heavyweights, the film was not a critical success, but it did receive a nomination for the prestigious Golden Bear Award at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.

This guide is based on the Avarang Books 2023 e-book edition.

Content Warning: The following study guide contains references to domestic abuse, sexualization of racial “otherness,” sexual assault, depression, and self-harm.

Plot Summary

Juan Chicoy and his wife Alice run a bus service station in Rebel Corners, an important throughway in California.