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On the Road
On the Road
Author: Jack Kerouac
A quintessential novel of America & the Beat Generation — On the Road chronicles Jack Kerouac's years traveling the N. American continent with his friend Neal Cassady, "a sideburned hero of the snowy West." As "Sal Paradise" & "Dean Moriarty," the two roam the country in a quest for self-knowledge & e...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780451152633
ISBN-10: 0451152638
Publication Date: 1982
Pages: 254
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 4

3.8 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Signet Book
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Sandiinmississippi avatar reviewed On the Road on + 265 more book reviews
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 And it's not so much that the writing style was outdated before it ever appeared with limited vocabulary and overuse of the same-old-adjectives - and it was-was-was.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.
reviewed On the Road on
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."
reviewed On the Road on
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.
laceylosh avatar reviewed On the Road on + 53 more book reviews
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.
mygraymorning avatar reviewed On the Road on + 62 more book reviews
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.
Read All 38 Book Reviews of "On the Road"

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reviewed On the Road on + 289 more book reviews
I thought On the Road would be a great choice as my road trip book. I was partially right: if it weren't my sole reading material for several weeks, it's unlikely I would have finished this American classic which defined the Beat generation. Exhausted from my own travels, I found it required a lot of concentration to get through the stream-of-consciousness prose. Kerouac gets style points for making it still feel like Sal and Dean's adventures whirled past me. I could see how this story of several cross-country trips set in the late 1940s was a breath of fresh air in the conformist 1950s but the male bonding, with its wake of abandoned women and children, struck me as irresponsible rather than impressive. I am glad to check this off the list of 1001 books you must read before you die.
reviewed On the Road on + 13 more book reviews
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.
tnlmorris avatar reviewed On the Road on
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."
reviewed On the Road on
This book changed my life. The story of Jack Keuroac and Neal Cassady's journey across america. I cried when the book ended, wanting more. An insight ito the lives of both Jack, Neal and those who were close to them.
gleninchi avatar reviewed On the Road on + 16 more book reviews
What a great piece of American literature and what a great picture of 1950's America!
reviewed On the Road on + 11 more book reviews
An ode to 50's underground movement in America. The Bible of the Beat generation. Good for anyone with a traveler's heart.


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