On the Road discussion

Once in my teens and once in my early 30's I made it about 40 pages the first time and only ten the second. The dullest, most turgid writing I have ever read. I cannot fathom how people love this book.

I 'll have to agree. I did not read more pages than you did... And I did not and will not try to read it again. I have not read a lot of "beat" authors, but I do recommend "Exterminator!" by William S. Burroughs, one of my favorite books ever.

I had this same experience, but don't give up. Yeah, it's slow starting, but there is really some great writing in it. You've got to read The Mexican Girl story. There's many other parts too where the writing is just perfection. It's definitely not a perfect book by any means, but it has its moments. There are definitely much worse writers.

The appeal is Jack's ability to find wisdom in the mundane. He observes truths, which are mixed in with the inane and pointless observations. I will say that his later words, like Dharma Bums and Big Sur are more sophisticated and thought provoking.

I've read the book 4 times at different periods in my life and I've gone back and forth between loving it and hating it depending on how old I was. It is not a great book, Jack was never a great writer, and he got much worse as he got older.

But there were some of his books that I read at just the right moment in my life, and it made all the difference.

I personally think it is a great book, but I understand why people are put off by it. For one thing, it does not follow any typical storytelling format that people expect. (Especially nowadays, people expect an action-oriented narrative with a certain amount of plot twists, rising/ falling action, etc.) Kerouac wrote from the heart about his own experiences. If you are able to be open to something different, you may enjoy it.

Truman Capote comments on On the Road: "That's not writing, that's typing."

A lot like sushi, it isn't for everyone!
I love this book - I've read it twice, once in my early twenties, and again about 5 years ago.
My initial experience with On the Road was pretty special though. A friend brought the book on a road trip across the US. None of us had read it, we all wanted to, so we took turns reading it out loud as we traveled. It was a lot of fun. (Yes, this was before XM radio, and CDs were still prized quasi expensive possessions HAHA).
Would not trade the memory and experience!
However! I know quite a few people who take issue with the writing style, and I don't think Kerouac ever really intended to become an author. I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading somewhere that Burroughs convinced him to publish because it was an "easy" way to make a little money

I've read ON THE ROAD three times and I have to say it's definitely grown on me. I do like this book very much, but I don't love it (though you have to give Kerouac huge credit for trying something new). If you've read OTR but just don't quite "get it," you might want to listen to the audio book, which brings a somewhat new dimension to the text.

No loss on your part, its a shitty book.
Have the exact problem with catch 22, which I suspect is a better book

Catch 22 is a double doughnut hole like Birdman. Everyone fawning over a work devoid of anything. On the Road is a triple doughnut hole.

Please see; Ebay/Books/DJ Tartaglia...thank you...peace~* :))

Well this isn't how it was intended to be written. I recommend the original version where the real names of each and everyone are there and you feel the intensity of his style.

Jonas? Ebay/Books/DJ Tartaglia- Satisfaction Guaranteed.
peace~*


Big Sur was well written. I agree with you, Jonas. :))

I think a lot of the greatness of this book is in its surprise factor. It is important to recognize the literary context around On the Road...it broke a lot of rules for the first time and was a "trailblazer." This may explain why it was especially appealing for the youth generation at the time, but may not hold up over the years. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book and appreciate the train-of-thought style writing, it is very energizing and inspiring.

I first read this book around 45 years ago and have re-read it many times since. Kerouac was and still is one of my favorite authors. When I was young I hoped to someday write the Great American Novel. After reading this book I realized that that would never happen--Jack had beaten me to it. I love the way he uses language--the stream-of-conscious prose is intended to mimic the "statements" that a sax player "blows" at some smoke-filled jazz club at 2 a.m. I love the writing, I love the story. The America he writes about no longer exists, but I will always love this wonderful book. I've read that David Bowie was inspired to become a musician after reading "On the Road." That says all you need to know.

When I first read this book I was in awe, I just adored the exquisite prose and intriguing storyline - it was something I had never before experienced in literature. On the Road is to me an experience, not something to be analysed for its techniques but to be loved for its passion, it is an expression of youthful experimentation and travel. Once you surpass the preconceived expectation of a start, middle, end - and learn to enjoy the beauty in Kerouac's writing, I believe you will find the novel that goes beyond the frustration/confusion expressed by others, and becomes a poignant feeling to remember.

If you liked On the Road, you should check out Desolation Angels.

while reading On the Road, I often wondered how much Kerouac's impact would be affected if he were forbidden from using the word "mad". Appears everywhere: mad musicians, mad sax players, mad cab drivers, mad bus drivers, mad waiters, mad hoboes, you name it. And many scenes are mad or full of madness. Begs for more descriptive terms.

Chris wrote: "I had this same experience, but don't give up. Yeah, it's slow starting, but there is really some great writing in it. You've got to read The Mexican Girl story. There's many other parts too where ..."

You're right. The Mexican girl story is beautiful, loving, and heartbreaking!