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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was struggling with "getting" this book in the first few pages. I stopped to maybe get some background history on Kerouac and the beats, and I found a video of him reading his own work aloud (JACK KEROUAC on THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW with Steve Allen 1959) and it turned the book around for me 100% recommend doing that if you start to get bored. When I started imagining reading in his voice it became a lot more comprehensible. It's so musical and rhythmic and was the highlight of my reading experience.
What I liked about this book was the philosophical and emotional realizations that Sal, the main character, learns after so many years of living on the road, flying by the seat of your pants, but the fact that he and Dean continue to live this way (however, we don't really know the mindset of dean because it is all written from Sal's perspective). It's not the typical "I learned my lesson and now I'm changing my life". The ending is pretty much like any other part of the book; it's not an ending, it could go anywhere from there. At the same time, I really disliked how the characters in this book objectified women. Women and other minorities were never really given a spotlight, in my opinion, for the reader to learn deeply about at least one person who could have had a more symbolic meaning of the time period, kerouac's actual journey, or whatever (I suppose you could except marylou and terry here). This made Sal/Kerouac feel very old-fashioned, but I guess that's not wrong considering it was published in 1957. At points it did drag on a bit (and it took me much longer to read than I expected), having a very much classic literature feel, and although I enjoy my classics, I think the same thing can be said for many classic novels. Overall, I enjoyed reading this story about a lifestyle that I could most likely never lead myself: life on the road.
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On the Road by Jack Kerouac is often hailed as a defining work of the Beat Generation, a book that captures the restless spirit of postwar America and the countercultural desire for freedom, spontaneity, and self-discovery. While it certainly has moments of brilliance and a raw, improvisational energy that reflects the jazz-like rhythms of its time, the novel can also feel uneven and meandering, leaving the reader both exhilarated and frustrated.
The story follows Sal Paradise, a young writer based in New York City, and his unpredictable friend, Dean Moriarty, as they embark on a series of cross-country road trips in search of adventure, meaning, and a deeper understanding of life. Over the course of the novel, they travel from New York to California, Denver to New Orleans, meeting a colorful array of characters, engaging in intense relationships, and immersing themselves in the vibrant jazz and bohemian culture of the time.
Their journeys are marked by moments of profound insight and beauty, set against a backdrop of motels, diners, and endless highways. At the same time, they also confront the darker aspects of their quest: poverty, failed relationships, and the realization that their pursuit of absolute freedom often comes at a cost. Sal’s admiration for Dean’s freewheeling lifestyle gradually gives way to a recognition of its destructiveness, and by the novel’s end, Sal begins to see the limitations of their endless searching.
While On the Road undoubtedly captures a unique period in American history and has a certain allure, it can also be a challenging read for contemporary audiences. Kerouac’s prose, often praised for its spontaneity and vivid imagery, can sometimes feel repetitive or indulgent, as the novel frequently revisits the same themes of restless searching without much forward momentum. The constant crisscrossing of the country, while symbolizing the characters' quest for meaning, can also come across as repetitive, with certain sections feeling more like aimless wandering than purposeful exploration.
The novel's treatment of its female characters is another area that can feel dated and one-dimensional. Women in On the Road often serve as little more than background characters, fleeting love interests, or objects of male desire, rarely given the same depth or agency as Sal and Dean. This lack of nuance can detract from the novel’s otherwise ambitious exploration of freedom and authenticity.
At its core, On the Road is a celebration of the quest for personal and spiritual liberation, and while it captures the spirit of the Beat Generation, it also reveals its limitations. The novel can feel exhilarating in parts, with its energetic prose and evocative descriptions of the American landscape, but it can also be exhausting, as it meanders through endless highways without clear direction or resolution.
For readers who are drawn to stories of rebellion and the pursuit of freedom, On the Road will have undeniable appeal. However, those looking for a more structured narrative or character development may find themselves left wanting. While Kerouac's work is certainly a significant cultural artifact, it may not resonate with everyone in the same way, making it a book that is both celebrated and critiqued in equal measure.
2.5/5 stars
The story follows Sal Paradise, a young writer based in New York City, and his unpredictable friend, Dean Moriarty, as they embark on a series of cross-country road trips in search of adventure, meaning, and a deeper understanding of life. Over the course of the novel, they travel from New York to California, Denver to New Orleans, meeting a colorful array of characters, engaging in intense relationships, and immersing themselves in the vibrant jazz and bohemian culture of the time.
Their journeys are marked by moments of profound insight and beauty, set against a backdrop of motels, diners, and endless highways. At the same time, they also confront the darker aspects of their quest: poverty, failed relationships, and the realization that their pursuit of absolute freedom often comes at a cost. Sal’s admiration for Dean’s freewheeling lifestyle gradually gives way to a recognition of its destructiveness, and by the novel’s end, Sal begins to see the limitations of their endless searching.
While On the Road undoubtedly captures a unique period in American history and has a certain allure, it can also be a challenging read for contemporary audiences. Kerouac’s prose, often praised for its spontaneity and vivid imagery, can sometimes feel repetitive or indulgent, as the novel frequently revisits the same themes of restless searching without much forward momentum. The constant crisscrossing of the country, while symbolizing the characters' quest for meaning, can also come across as repetitive, with certain sections feeling more like aimless wandering than purposeful exploration.
The novel's treatment of its female characters is another area that can feel dated and one-dimensional. Women in On the Road often serve as little more than background characters, fleeting love interests, or objects of male desire, rarely given the same depth or agency as Sal and Dean. This lack of nuance can detract from the novel’s otherwise ambitious exploration of freedom and authenticity.
At its core, On the Road is a celebration of the quest for personal and spiritual liberation, and while it captures the spirit of the Beat Generation, it also reveals its limitations. The novel can feel exhilarating in parts, with its energetic prose and evocative descriptions of the American landscape, but it can also be exhausting, as it meanders through endless highways without clear direction or resolution.
For readers who are drawn to stories of rebellion and the pursuit of freedom, On the Road will have undeniable appeal. However, those looking for a more structured narrative or character development may find themselves left wanting. While Kerouac's work is certainly a significant cultural artifact, it may not resonate with everyone in the same way, making it a book that is both celebrated and critiqued in equal measure.
2.5/5 stars
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I really did not enjoy reading this book. Reading it felt like a speed trip, which makes sense knowing that Kerouac was on speed while writing. I found the characters unrelatable and a bit tiring at times. They go through the same things all the time and do not really evolve past that. It always about women, sex, alcohol and going to different places. Sal is basically in love with Dean but does not want to admit it. They have zero impulse control and have such a big idea of themselves. I really do not understand how this is an american classic.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not sure how to rate this book. After all, it's a classic one is supposed to like. I liked it for the best part, it was nice and entertaining, but along the road it became repetitive and I couldn't sympathize with Dean at all, so I lost my interest and had to drag myself through the rest of the book. Thus, I am unsure what to think of On the Road.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got recommened this book by a friend who has good taste in authors and books however i was thoroughly disappointed with this book. I guess its a good beginner book to get into this style of writing however the begining of On the Road was so slow and lackluster. I am keen to read other works by Kerouac, im just hoping theyre better than this one.
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes