The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kelseystamey's review against another edition
3.0
An exhausting joyride that traverses the entire continent, exposing both its rough underbelly and its shimmering magnificence. The pace is frantically manic at times and forlornly sober at others, leaving the reader feeling simultaneously reckless and unsteady. The iconic main character, Dean Moriarty (Neal Cassady?), develops into the most fascinating study in freedom and exuberance and bohemianism.
Unfortunately, the author's prejudices reflect the prevailing midcentury attitudes towards women, minorities, etc. and are evident in the book. It's not perfect (far from it -- my heart aches for those side characters who are used and abused all in the name of "kicks"), but bottom line? It's terribly compelling. I'm glad I finally read it.
Unfortunately, the author's prejudices reflect the prevailing midcentury attitudes towards women, minorities, etc. and are evident in the book. It's not perfect (far from it -- my heart aches for those side characters who are used and abused all in the name of "kicks"), but bottom line? It's terribly compelling. I'm glad I finally read it.
ryebread225's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
deee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
melineegout's review against another edition
4.0
To my surprise I actually liked this book, a lot. I thought this novel would be like any novel written by a man in the 50s: macho with characters that are too stereotypical to be interesting. I was very wrong because On the Road proved itself to be a complex coming of age story that explores the strong bond between Dean and Sal, two young men in search of adventure. I was impressed by Kerouac’s style which adds a special atmosphere to the novel. On the road is definitely a classic that any young person should read.
commykaze's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joewhistle's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, for many reasons, but mainly because I took it along with me on my recent trip to Paris. In many ways, I was hitting the road much like Sal did, though in 2012 as opposed to the 40's.
Things have changed drastically since then, but the overt sense of freedom and detachment that travelling promises from life's long grind still remains.
The brutal honesty of Kerouac is matched only by his ability to paint elegant renditions of life on the road.
There is a reason this book is beloved by many. It's a wonderful journey detailing all that life has to offer, and ultimately, takes away.
Things have changed drastically since then, but the overt sense of freedom and detachment that travelling promises from life's long grind still remains.
The brutal honesty of Kerouac is matched only by his ability to paint elegant renditions of life on the road.
There is a reason this book is beloved by many. It's a wonderful journey detailing all that life has to offer, and ultimately, takes away.
konigsburg's review
2.0
Of course this is a highly influential book - a roman à clef that gave voice to a generation and invented the idea of the Beats.... but I just can’t bring myself to like it. Maybe On The Road suffers from a kind of reverse-influence: because we know so well everything that followed it and that was modeled after it, reading the original just doesn’t feel so, well, original. I’m sure this stuff was new and radical in the 50s, but to me, in 2020, it reads like intellectual drivel of a wasted college student who fancies himself tuned into the universe. It frankly reads like someone writing while high.
Which, apparently, Kerouac was, hepped up on Benzedrine or weed or god knows what. The plot - so much as there is one - is just cross-crossing the country, being irresponsible and screwing girls and getting drunk and high and in trouble. Yes, there is some poetry in here about America, nature, the universe. Yes, there is a search for IT - truth or some authentic way to live your life; yes, there are hints at a search for Dean’s dad, and father figures are sprinkled throughout; and yes, there is a kind of infatuation or love between Sal and Dean - what else could it be? Yet all the homoerotic bits were apparently excised from the manuscript early on. Left is the casual and off-putting homophobia, the misogyny (women are incidental; there to be conquered and screwed), the drinking and carousing. A historical artifact, maybe. But in the end, that’s just not enough.
Which, apparently, Kerouac was, hepped up on Benzedrine or weed or god knows what. The plot - so much as there is one - is just cross-crossing the country, being irresponsible and screwing girls and getting drunk and high and in trouble. Yes, there is some poetry in here about America, nature, the universe. Yes, there is a search for IT - truth or some authentic way to live your life; yes, there are hints at a search for Dean’s dad, and father figures are sprinkled throughout; and yes, there is a kind of infatuation or love between Sal and Dean - what else could it be? Yet all the homoerotic bits were apparently excised from the manuscript early on. Left is the casual and off-putting homophobia, the misogyny (women are incidental; there to be conquered and screwed), the drinking and carousing. A historical artifact, maybe. But in the end, that’s just not enough.
jenjwms's review against another edition
1.0
I know this is a ‘classic’ but seriously? It’s just blather. Tedious blather about nothing. And it’s never-ending! I tried to finish it but every time I looked at the percentage of what I’d read, it had hardly moved - and nothing had happened!