On The Road. Or as some write: On the cliché-paved road. In his article Levi Asher wonders, "Is it not possible to write about Jack Kerouac's 50-year-old masterpiece without childishly aping the author's style?" I'll try, and perhaps succeed (your call, you tell me) because I'm not writing about the book itself. Will you be able to? Asher also spit-shines a mirror for professional critics to look into, but you'll have to read his article for your own glee.
Right at this moment, I'm more interested in your thoughts. What was the impact of On The Road? What does it mean to you? From your perspective, is it a book about places or inner journeys, or perhaps even a map of the gorgeous and painful path of friendship? A revolution that reverbs still? Maybe it is just a key to unlock cool?
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Julia Schrenkler
Minnesota Public Radio Interactive Producer
- Wikipedia entry for On The Road
- Asher's Guardian Unlimited Arts article: On the cliché-paved road
- On Point Webmaster's Gather article: On The Road: 50 Years Later
- Christen R.'s Gather article: On the Road, by Jack Kerouac
- On The Road at Amazon.com
- NPR: Jack Kerouac's On the Road, Present at the Creation
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Comments: 7
Would you consider reading it? Soon? And then sharing your reaction?
It didn't "change my life" but it does give one the yearning for "freedom" from the day-to-day, to perhaps just bust out and take off somewhere. However, it was much easier in those days than it is now.
Here's a video of Kerouac reading from On The Road.
Frick, you made a good point in this comment:
I think the realities and myths surrounding their lives is often the draw for some. Others who already yearn for freedom gravitate to the book for that reason. BTW, thanks for the link to the groovy Steve Allen show, Frick!
I know, I know - it's not Jack, it's Willie.
But a road is a road is a road is........Well this time it'll be driving a bookmobile for pay, rather than wandering the ethers. Lol!