Helpful Score: 4
It's not so much that I despised this book - and I did. It's not totally that the characters were unworthy of taking time to think about them - and they were. And it's not so much that the writing style was outdated before it ever appeared with limited vocabulary and overuse of the same-old-adjectives - and it was-was-was. It's more that after finishing it, while praying for Dean's demise in a fiery car crash starting on page 104, I knew my time had been wasted by a con. The book is not even an elaborate con. It's a lazy con about people who like to get drunk and drive around. I thought if I heard the word 'mad' or 'gone' or any of the other stylish and meaningless so-called descriptives one more time I'd get in the car and drive to, oh wherever, drinking and stealing on the way like our heroes. Sadly, I can understand how this became a classic, and a lifestyle. What I can't understand is why I wasted my time.
Helpful Score: 3
Jack Kerouac tells of his travels across the nation, and the stories of fascinating characters he meets along the way such as Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg. A wonderful view of mid twentieth century life among the people who became known as the "Beats."
Helpful Score: 3
I loved nearly every moment of it. Incredibly poetic, I so wished I could have been there. Great writing. I won't suggest reading this if you're a feminist of any sort, as Kerouac and Cassidy weren't especially kind to their ladies, but then again, it happens, we move on.
Read it, dug it, hooked on Kerouac.
Read it, dug it, hooked on Kerouac.
Helpful Score: 3
I started reading On the Road for many reasons. First of all, Im interested in reading Allen Ginsbergs Howl and Ive heard Jack Kerouacs On the Road is the accompanying prose to Ginsbergs poem. Also, I like to pick up a classic here and there between the more modern literature Im reading, so On the Road seemed like a natural choice.
The story-line of On the Road was intriguing, as its a tribute to the Beat Generation and a travelogue wrapped into one neat package. However, I had great difficulty reading Karouacs spontaneous prose. At times, it was almost poetic in form, but often it was jumbled thoughts and conversations that I found difficult to follow. I had to push myself to finish the book, simply because I was turned off by the writing style.
I must say that I tend to agree with Truman Capotes famous critique of Kerouacs style; Its isnt writing-its typing.
However, I understand the generational significance of On the Road and I still plan to read Howl. I feel like I will have a better understanding of Ginsbergs work having first read Kerouacs prose. Despite my criticisms, Dean Moriarty (the hero of both On the Road and Howl based on the real life friend of Kaurac and Ginsberg-Neal Cassady) is one of my favorite literary characters. His spark and spontaneous personality drive the novel so much so that I would love to have known the real Neal Cassady.
The story-line of On the Road was intriguing, as its a tribute to the Beat Generation and a travelogue wrapped into one neat package. However, I had great difficulty reading Karouacs spontaneous prose. At times, it was almost poetic in form, but often it was jumbled thoughts and conversations that I found difficult to follow. I had to push myself to finish the book, simply because I was turned off by the writing style.
I must say that I tend to agree with Truman Capotes famous critique of Kerouacs style; Its isnt writing-its typing.
However, I understand the generational significance of On the Road and I still plan to read Howl. I feel like I will have a better understanding of Ginsbergs work having first read Kerouacs prose. Despite my criticisms, Dean Moriarty (the hero of both On the Road and Howl based on the real life friend of Kaurac and Ginsberg-Neal Cassady) is one of my favorite literary characters. His spark and spontaneous personality drive the novel so much so that I would love to have known the real Neal Cassady.
Helpful Score: 2
On the Road wore out its welcome. I was sort of diggin' it at first, the Colorado stuff was interesting. But, eventually I grew tired of the characters, Sal's ramblings and Dean's antics. I just wanted it to end. On the Road may have been a trendsetter in 1957, but it doesn't feel vital to me now.
