For those of you who have read Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”, just what is your humble opinion? I have read this book recently & reserve my own thoughts so not to influence this thread one way or another.
Well, I’m reading it right now. I’m only about a fifth of the way into it, but it moves pretty slow for me. I understand it as a historical piece of art representing a freedom of spirit in a very repressive time, and in that vein it is brilliant and I could easily understand the impact it must have had at the time. But I don’t find the language particularly interesting, and so far, there isn’t enough happening to hold my attention.
I will update my report as I progress through the book.
Thank You, Moe, may you enjoy your journey over the American continent with these characters.
And your opinion?
This is the IMHO place, where opinions are encouraged.
Moe, wouldn’t you like to finish reading the book - I might sabotage the experience for you. KJ
Well, I’m probably going to read this thread again, and besides, you did create this thread to get opinions from others, no?
But, since you seem to be fairly confident that by hearing reviews, my reading experience might be tainted, I will save this URL and come back when I’m finished, so please, by all means, share.
Here You go, Moe: MY OPINION
Had I read this book in High School, it may have become my anthem. Now I feel quite differently.
Dean Moriarty, “our hero”, is a thief, a selfish con-man, too crazy to be considerate of his friends. Yet these people, including Sal Paradise, the main man of the story, continue to pull Dean out of despair and financial burdens. It seems as though Dean provokes a qausi-codependent pity in these buddies of his, so they traipse around the country, followers of a dirty leader, romantics of “beat” life.
As you can tell, for the most part, I did not enjoy reading this book. The first two parts were treacherous reading - incredibly boring, plain, dry - and barely developing any of the characters. In part three, however, I finally began to see how their travels and mayhem found their way into so many readers’ hearts. Kerouac’s message is worthy - live life - love life - be here now - enjoy youth - etc…And especially to avoid society’s backward structure - the awkward imposition of politics on life itself.
So, I would suggest to read it once, and give the book away to someone else, think about it for a short while, then decide whether or not to read anything more by Kerouac. Personally, I will not be reading Dharma Bums. 