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adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Racism
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
There were parts of this book I enjoyed, in a madcap Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas kind of way, but to be honest this book is less put together than anything Hunter S Thompson would write. There are many places where the book doesn’t flow at all, and you have to slog through, unaided by Kerouac’s unedited slang style of prose.
I understand the significance of the beat movement and this book’s bearing upon it, but as a straight, white man in late 1940s America, the author succeeds only in upturning the status quo for himself and others like him, whilst firmly reinforcing it for literally every other marginalised group he encounters, including gay folks, women, black and indigenous people. What is the value of a movement that seeks to open up new ways of living if it entrenches inequalities in search of something as frivolous as fun?
I think this book is seriously overrated, even as a story it’s in dire need of some additional editing. However, I’m interested to read other books by the beat generation (I’ve read and loved some Patti Smith) and this did give a window into that era.
I understand the significance of the beat movement and this book’s bearing upon it, but as a straight, white man in late 1940s America, the author succeeds only in upturning the status quo for himself and others like him, whilst firmly reinforcing it for literally every other marginalised group he encounters, including gay folks, women, black and indigenous people. What is the value of a movement that seeks to open up new ways of living if it entrenches inequalities in search of something as frivolous as fun?
I think this book is seriously overrated, even as a story it’s in dire need of some additional editing. However, I’m interested to read other books by the beat generation (I’ve read and loved some Patti Smith) and this did give a window into that era.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Not my cup of tea. Only started reading it for school but managed to convince my teacher to let me read something else.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Pedophilia
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Not a story worth reading.
It has definitely interesting writing, but the story has nothing more to give than nostalgia for the 50s in America. There is also a lot of racism, sexism, homophobia and pedophilia. And the characters are annoying and so self-centered, it was hard to read.
It has definitely interesting writing, but the story has nothing more to give than nostalgia for the 50s in America. There is also a lot of racism, sexism, homophobia and pedophilia. And the characters are annoying and so self-centered, it was hard to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism
Moderate: Toxic relationship
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Racial slurs
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcohol
Reading Around The World (2/199): United States
Okay, let’s start with the fact that On The Road inspired Eric Kripke to create Supernatural. Sam and Dean are based off of Sal Paradise (Jack Kerouac) and Dean Moriarty (Neal Cassady). So I started reading this on Dean Winchester’s 43rd birthday (yes, I’m that type of fan) to celebrate and learn more about his namesake.
Eric Kripke you are a basket case.
On The Road takes you through the time Sal and Dean (Jack and Neal) spent together traveling across the United States and even into Mexico. Kerouac uses stream of consciousness to report to the reader his memories of that time in his life. I’m sure there’s some fictionalization beyond changing a few names and places, but at the end of the day it is a reflection of his voice, life, point of view, beliefs, etc.
Which is why the blatant misogyny and racism was so awful. It’s not a character being a bigot, it’s the author. You know without a doubt that Kerouac thinks that women truly are creatures that need husbands to sort them out and that black people live simplistic lives and have no worries, unlike him a woeful white man. The one good thing this book provides is an example that yes, people really did think this way! 307 whole pages to show someone who thinks that casual sexism and racism of the 40s-60s wasn’t real.
I appreciate context; I don’t expect a book that was written 70-ish years ago to reflect my morals and values completely (or at all in some cases). But it makes Kerouac so detestable that it’s hard to will myself to read more. When a fictional character is vile we get to dig into that and see what it means in a literary sense and in the context of the book. When an author is writing about his own life and he comes across as vile…it just means he’s a vile man.
Kerouac is the kind of man that thinks he’s a ‘good guy’. He’s so convinced that he has a heart full of love but he has no clue that he’s selfish, mean, and predatory. Cassady and Kerouac are frequently talking to and gazing at girls as young as thirteen years old. Cassady had a teenage wife. “Things were different then” yeah okay, things were streamlined for adult men to have child brides and call women above the age of 30 old.
There’s a part in the book where Sal and Dean live with a single mom and her children, including her (iirc) thirteen year old daughter. And it’s clear that Dean is attracted to her and Sal fronts himself as some kind of white knight protecting her, but there’s an inkling that he’s saving her for himself. There’s no other word for it; they are predators. They routinely hunt for young girls to “make it” with.
Sal worships Dean and all Dean does is use people and ghost them.
The worst thing about this book is something it can’t control; it’s impact on a generation (and how it echoes to subsequent generations). I’ve seen a fair number of people who genuinely love and connect with this book and I just don’t understand how. I’ve traveled the road, I’ve been across America - so the scenic descriptions and interactions with the kinds of people you meet on the road was interesting and sometimes really lovely. But I don’t know how you read this book without hating Sal and Dean. I can’t romanticize them the way others seem to.
The book is straightforward, it’s up to the reader to imbue it with social commentary or criticism. Kerouac never reflects on if his actions affected others, he just tells us where he went and what he did and what he thought. So if you can smooth over the parts where they objectify women and people of color then maybe you are left with the desire to travel and see what’s out there. I read it with a pen in hand because this was a book I had to argue with while reading it (literally haven’t done that since high school lmao).
But, I must admit that Part Five (the final chapter) kind of made me feel something other than disgust for Dean Moriarty. He ruined his body and cognitive abilities. The way Sal reiterates “he can’t talk” is so sad and pathetic since Dean is known for talking and never stopping.
This is the first book that’s made me remove things from my TBR since reading it - goodbye Howl and Kaddish! I was so interested in the idea I had about the beat movement, but now after my sample it is safe for me to say no thank you!
Also Eric Kripke you need therapy.
Okay, let’s start with the fact that On The Road inspired Eric Kripke to create Supernatural. Sam and Dean are based off of Sal Paradise (Jack Kerouac) and Dean Moriarty (Neal Cassady). So I started reading this on Dean Winchester’s 43rd birthday (yes, I’m that type of fan) to celebrate and learn more about his namesake.
Eric Kripke you are a basket case.
On The Road takes you through the time Sal and Dean (Jack and Neal) spent together traveling across the United States and even into Mexico. Kerouac uses stream of consciousness to report to the reader his memories of that time in his life. I’m sure there’s some fictionalization beyond changing a few names and places, but at the end of the day it is a reflection of his voice, life, point of view, beliefs, etc.
Which is why the blatant misogyny and racism was so awful. It’s not a character being a bigot, it’s the author. You know without a doubt that Kerouac thinks that women truly are creatures that need husbands to sort them out and that black people live simplistic lives and have no worries, unlike him a woeful white man. The one good thing this book provides is an example that yes, people really did think this way! 307 whole pages to show someone who thinks that casual sexism and racism of the 40s-60s wasn’t real.
I appreciate context; I don’t expect a book that was written 70-ish years ago to reflect my morals and values completely (or at all in some cases). But it makes Kerouac so detestable that it’s hard to will myself to read more. When a fictional character is vile we get to dig into that and see what it means in a literary sense and in the context of the book. When an author is writing about his own life and he comes across as vile…it just means he’s a vile man.
Kerouac is the kind of man that thinks he’s a ‘good guy’. He’s so convinced that he has a heart full of love but he has no clue that he’s selfish, mean, and predatory. Cassady and Kerouac are frequently talking to and gazing at girls as young as thirteen years old. Cassady had a teenage wife. “Things were different then” yeah okay, things were streamlined for adult men to have child brides and call women above the age of 30 old.
There’s a part in the book where Sal and Dean live with a single mom and her children, including her (iirc) thirteen year old daughter. And it’s clear that Dean is attracted to her and Sal fronts himself as some kind of white knight protecting her, but there’s an inkling that he’s saving her for himself. There’s no other word for it; they are predators. They routinely hunt for young girls to “make it” with.
Sal worships Dean and all Dean does is use people and ghost them.
The worst thing about this book is something it can’t control; it’s impact on a generation (and how it echoes to subsequent generations). I’ve seen a fair number of people who genuinely love and connect with this book and I just don’t understand how. I’ve traveled the road, I’ve been across America - so the scenic descriptions and interactions with the kinds of people you meet on the road was interesting and sometimes really lovely. But I don’t know how you read this book without hating Sal and Dean. I can’t romanticize them the way others seem to.
The book is straightforward, it’s up to the reader to imbue it with social commentary or criticism. Kerouac never reflects on if his actions affected others, he just tells us where he went and what he did and what he thought. So if you can smooth over the parts where they objectify women and people of color then maybe you are left with the desire to travel and see what’s out there. I read it with a pen in hand because this was a book I had to argue with while reading it (literally haven’t done that since high school lmao).
But, I must admit that Part Five (the final chapter) kind of made me feel something other than disgust for Dean Moriarty. He ruined his body and cognitive abilities. The way Sal reiterates “he can’t talk” is so sad and pathetic since Dean is known for talking and never stopping.
This is the first book that’s made me remove things from my TBR since reading it - goodbye Howl and Kaddish! I was so interested in the idea I had about the beat movement, but now after my sample it is safe for me to say no thank you!
Also Eric Kripke you need therapy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Excrement
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Excrement, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma