Books: "On The Road" - Jack Kerouac

[Lara]

I have been feeling a little embarrassed to ask this here actually but finally put fingers to the keyboard.

Did anyone else who read this find it really difficult?

I wonder if I'm having so much trouble going from chapter to chapter because I'm not from the USA and so much of the narrative is lost on me? What am I missing? Is it a tiny snip of history of the '50's over there for real or is it distorted?

I find it uncomfortable reading and awfully sexist (amongst other things) actually. I guess it's because of the time when it was written?

So many questions. I would love to hear from anyone who has read this book.

[kicker]

"On the Road" is about a time in American history "The Beat Generation" It is written as a stream of consciousness by a young man, Under thirty, a work against the conformity of society, in an "outlaw" spirit. Written in a spastic nature I think.

Do I think it is a good book? No. As a teen, a hippie wannabee, I read it and The Electric Kool-Ade Acid Test, another literary snap shot of American history, the 60's (a book which I really which I liked and more relevant to me in the time of the 70's). Both are a nostalgic look back in time. Every generation rebels in some way against the mores of society.

Don't try to understand, it's a feeling and if English is not your primary language it may not come across. To me, the legend of this time is more interesting than this story.

Where do you live? Maybe there is literature about turmoils of time more relevent to you.

[kicker]

The Electric Kool-Ade Acid test was written by Ken Kesey who also wrote "One Flew over the Coo-koos Nest". He is an author whose style I like, the 60's were more relevant to me, a teen in the 70's.

[kicker]

I see you're in Australia. I'm from New Jersey, USA. I find the Mafia, rotaries, etc., are Jersey things, not really understood by friends in far away states. I have a friend from Wisconsin, some of stuff she talks about is completely foreign to me. Also she was in the Army, another life I know nothing about. Now I'm in Maryland, not far from Baltimore. Some there say Drawlings but I say drawings. (which is correct in the USA)

Did I mention I'm an ex School teacher? Might explain my tone.

[Lara]

Kicker, thanks so much. I'm very sorry I've not replied before now.

My daughter bought the book, so I have been reading it. We converse about literature and art from totally different ages and perspectives which is really interesting.

Apparently this book is being made into a movie so she wanted to read the book first. It's a book I probably should have read ages ago. I only had known of some particular quotes from the book and I loved them so much.

My problem really was in the reading. I just have had such a difficult tiime reading the book... the way it is written. I understand more since your posts and with a lot of research and will now attempt to read the last part of the book.

[Theta Z]

Originally Posted by Lara

I have been feeling a little embarrassed to ask this here actually but finally put fingers to the keyboard.

Did anyone else who read this find it really difficult?

I wonder if I'm having so much trouble going from chapter to chapter because I'm not from the USA and so much of the narrative is lost on me? What am I missing? Is it a tiny snip of history of the '50's over there for real or is it distorted?

I find it uncomfortable reading and awfully sexist (amongst other things) actually. I guess it's because of the time when it was written?

So many questions. I would love to hear from anyone who has read this book.

Hi Lara -
So glad you asked!
One of my fave literary topics!
Am myself a 50s American Babyboomer generation, no children.

While I know the difficulty of the reading, e.g. the stream of consciousness style that was uniquely
a-signature-first, Kerouac's journalistic style.
(More on that & perhaps why so ... if you care to hear, discuss. Just ask, I'll be glad.)

"My problem really was in the reading. I just have had such a difficult tiime reading the book... the way it is written."
I hear ya and can comprehend, e.g. at time plain brutal, gruesome, violent, pornograhic, etc.

Glad you continued in your literary online research re: Kerouac and On The Road, and are hanging in there to continue reading it, to discuss the book with your daughter. Kudos!

Any desire for thorough knowledge of traditions of American music and/or American literary, journalistic development, style, and impact on the American culture, one *must needs* read Kerouac! It was, pardon the awful pun, a seminal work of American literary style.

Seeing that you are fond of perhaps All Things Dylan? or American Folk or protest songs? May I recommend to your attention to google "William McKeen + Kerouac On the Road + influences on Dylan + Ramblin Jack Elliott + Woody Guthrie.
Some very good Good Reading, re: American musicphilia and literary jounalism studies.

Hope that you may enjoy the journey!
I look forward to your hopefully keeping us posted from your Queensland perspective!

Also http://www.answers.com › Libra...250; Musicianswww.answers.com › Library › Entertainment & Arts › Musicians

Sincerely,
Theta

[Lara]

I always meant to get back to reply to your helpful post, Theta. I'm sorry it's taken me so long.

I continued to struggle with the narrative style. In fact I kept getting stuck on grammar issues and the fact that some sentences were about 10 lines long with barely any punctuation marks. LOL It actually reminded me of how my own style of writing has changed with the use of the internet. It's more spontaneous in some ways.

However, on a positive note, as I read more and actually went back to re-read some parts, I found so much I'd missed. Every here and there were absolute gems of insight and wisdom (for want of a better word).

I was surprised really how dusty and dirty and old it all felt as I read it. I found it difficult to consider that these were very young men.

I'm glad I perservered and will probably re-read it sometime in the future to see if it flows better for me the second time around.

It's amazing really how much change we have seen in the past 50 years. Some good and some of course, not so good.

I also appreciate your other suggestions re: Dylan etc..

Thanks so much.