Search - On the Road

I just don't get this book... My husband says I'm too old to get it (I'm only 30!!). He says I would get it if I were in my teens or twenties still. To me, this book was just a rambling, nonsensical collection of happenings (I can't call it a "story") of a group of very lost people. Drug addiction, no direction in life, nor any desire to find direction seem to be the central themes in my opinion. I've heard and read that this book defined a generation... the Beat generation... to me this is just sad. Honestly, I was just bored and frustrated by the book's lack of direction or interesting storyline. Stream of consciousness writing makes me want to scream.

I started reading “On the Road” for many reasons. First of all, I’m interested in reading Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” and I’ve heard Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” is the accompanying prose to Ginsberg’s poem. Also, I like to pick up a classic here and there between the more modern literature I’m reading, so “On the Road” seemed like a natural choice.

The story-line of “On the Road” was intriguing, as it’s a tribute to the Beat Generation and a travelogue wrapped into one neat package. However, I had great difficulty reading Karouac’s 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 Capote’s famous critique of Kerouac’s style; “It’s isn’t writing-it’s 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 Ginsberg’s work having first read Kerouac’s 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.

This is hands down one of my favorite books. I love when individuals can give you a peek into a generation with their work.

Not as great as I had hoped. I'm glad I read it, but would not add it to my list of favorite books of all times.

I read On the Road quite a few years ago when i was 16. i had no idea who kerouac was or that this book was supposed to be a classic. I loved it. It made me wish i was "on the road."

A modern classic. Not one for my permanent library, but I'm glad I read it for Kerouac's exhilarating prose style and for insight into the development of 20th century literature.