752 reviews for:

The Dharma Bums

Jack Kerouac

3.76 AVERAGE

zanderrose's review against another edition

3.0

---

Torn between 2 and 3, rounded up cause I’m in a good mood.

Jack Kerouac’s understanding of buddhism is shallow, orientalist, and often misogynistic. He is chastised by others in the novel for the first point, but most of them are just as guilty of the second and third. That being said, a lot of the moments where the misogyny and orientalism are further from the limelight are enjoyable and occasionally even thought provoking.

This was my first time reading Kerouac and I didn’t hate it but I probably won’t read any more besides maybe On The Road since it’s such a cultural touchstone.

adam10001's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

joshuahj's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

bokorjudit's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

markshire's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

malenatucci's review against another edition

---

Chapters 19 & 20: ENLIGHTENMENT✨🌟⚡️💥🔆🌈🌊🎼💡
Rest of the book: 😐…..

elia123's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 47%

---

mysogine

nd9's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

salbulga's review against another edition

1.5

reflective 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: No

isidor123's review against another edition

3.25

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated