On The Road

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Summary: planting a seed in the garden of the mind.
Review: I came across the writings of Kerouac in my early teens. On The Road planted ideas in my mind that I didn't fully understand at the time, but was intent on finding that lifestyle that he wrote about...as quickly as possible. For the first time, I felt that I had found someone I could identify with. His writings let me know that I wasn't totally insane. Now, I realize how much Kerouac's words influenced me. I've been fortunate enough to experience most of those wild things that I read about. I feel that the early exposure to On The Road made my life more interesting than I ever imagined. Thanks, Jack, because of you and more importantly, your writing, I've had one hell of an interesting life, traveling, meeting some great people, doing research on the effects of drugs and my art. That little seed that On The Road planted when I was 15 has developed into a whole forest of creativity and inspiration. It helped me so much to know that there were others out there whose ideas didn't conform to what society dictated was 'normal'. I realize that it is not a book that would appeal to everyone, but the last time I looked we still had the right to read what we want...and if it offends some of the more gentle folks, they have the option of reading something that they choose. Thanks for letting me express how much Kerouac's book meant to me. On The Road gave me a sort of 'guideline for better living thru chemistry'. Thanks again.....Anushka.

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Summary: think red
Review: think red , forget yourself in the horizon , in the eyes of strangers and in the lulling hum of an automobile . Inhale and never breathe out,abandon all notion of a palpable future for it might ruin your life . Don't ever fade away , think red .

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Summary: An excellent novel; a must read for any who want to travel.
Review: This is an excellent novel that truly captures the emotions that humans feel about life, death, love, religion, and loss. Sal Paradise is a character that all readers can truly identify with. His longing to find his place, to find someone to love, and the pain he feels when having to say goodbye are all emotions that hit close to home. After reading "On The Road", I feel as if Kerouac truly knew me personally, because he writes about so many of the emotions that I myself feel. After reading this book, it would be impossible for anyone not to want to go out and seize life; to truly live for the day. Read this book!

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Summary: This is the Beat Generation
Review: An outstanding, classic work by one of the most interesting, underrated and forgotten writers of our time. Kerouac describes life....pure, spiritful life in this novel and it is one of the most free descriptions of america and of varied people in the country. This book is bound to have an effect on all that read it. This book defines the Beat Generation (as much as that's been said before, it's true). This book is an EXPERIENCE more than simply a good read, something that, if it appeals to your reading senses, will give you a new, simple, free view on life and what it meant to live in America in those days.

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Summary: A god-sent assembly of America
Review: This classic tale of two friends traveling across the nation is so addictive that you will never put it down. Kerouac describes in detail the fun, torture, and interesting adventures one can have while exploring the nation.

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Summary: a classic example of awful writing
Review: You never want to dig out those unreal phrases like "best ever" or "worst ever" because no one has read everything. But this is surely the worst example of writing I have ever encountered. It reads like exactly what it is: a stoned, egotistical rant by someone incapable of expressing himself comprehensibily. It drones on and on endlessly for such a short tract. I've never understood the almost religious fervor so many people associate with this nonesense. Kerouac really had no ability. He got an idea, clouded over with the shattered haze of his "non-conformist" mind and puked it up onto the page. Some may snap their fingers in a retro beatnik hipster slang and bee-bop along through this identity crisis and croon: 'Dig, man, that's the squee-squeelin' point, brother,' but, hopefully they'll realize what they've just said and laugh at themselves, returning somehow to a world where communication matters and distorted images of solipsistic rhythm will grind themselves down to the putrid puddle of ashes a gleefully burned copy of this outrageous piece of trash should rightly become. The only worthwhile mention involved with this goofy spatter is it's obvious historical impact. But for that might I recommend any non-fictional work on the beat poets. To the uninitiated: Stay away from everything written by all of these so-called cultural icons, none of them had any ability, just rage they didn't understand or know what to do with. If you must read this for a class and a teacher is really into it I can merely offer my condolances. That was my situation a few years back and the whole experience has left a scar on my conscious mind (no doubt a deeper, darker wound upon the unconscious.) Just tell them the truth, tell them there is nothing here, nothing to be seen. Move along, citizen, move along.

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Summary: A profound elaboration of life.
Review: The novel that defined what america was & will more or less always be is not only remarkable for its depiction of the "vast american landcape" or the excited exuberations of dean moriarty,but also the painful realization that looking for kicks to change your life leads to nothing but dissapointment & dismay.A lesson pointed out that the search for fullfillment is the excruciating pain of endlessly cultivating one's self,not from others or places,a search & trial kerouac strove for all his life & in his later novels.The final paragraph of the novel is some of the finest poetry youll ever read.

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Summary: The Bible
Review: One of the best books a man can read! It's madness, it's life. On the road is not only a book, it's a way of life, it's the Bible! Join Sal (Kerouac) Paradise on his journey and you will never be the same!

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Summary: Back in those days everything was simpler and more confused
Review: Jack Kerouac is truly one of the most individualized and brilliant writers of the 20th century. 'On the Road' was a declaration of youth, innocence, and guilt. With each turn of the page, we learn yet more and more about Sal and Dean, their dreams and nitemares. Danger and delight in one solitary trip. Not only did this masterpiece define the Beat Generation, but it also defines generations today, and im sure - many generations to come.

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Summary: "I dig you, man!"
Review: Certainly one of the best books I have and probably will ever read. Nothing will please me more than continually revisiting the mad happy adventures of Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise and their maniac friends. Kerouac is one of the most gifted writers to ever grace American soil and deserves his place in American literature. No one else captures the beautiful insanity of the beat generation as well as he does. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the pure joy of reading. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"