Kerouac

On The Road

If they had let (or even made) us read this book in high school I might have learned how to read and certainly how to think, perhaps even write, long before I found these true directions on my own. But it was a different time. In 63-64 this book was only 7 years old and the world had yet to feel the full impact of this book (the midwest being even further behind) and Kerouac was not taken seriously as a writer then either.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (published 6 years before On The Road) was about the most daring thing they let us attempt and it was dry and a bit less obvious to my yet untrained mind. Cars, alienation, jazz, seeking truth on a different path could have been just what the literary doctor ordered. Oh well... the times were what they were and lacking resources (there were no internet/Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Borders, TV/Radio talk shows, no cable, satelite, FM, NPR or PBS) I had to get there on my own about 10 years later.

This is the 50th anniversary of the book's publishing, and in Kerouac's home town of Lowell, Ma. the original scroll manuscript of On the Road - yes, 120 ft of unparagraphed documentary - is on display, and I took the opportunity to make the pilgrimage to the holy grail of modern popular literature. While I don't unconditionally revere either the book or its author, I do believe that the book is an important social and literary documentary of the time. In addition it stands the test of time in story and character, it remains a 'right of passage' to young readers especially those who are seeking a less traditional path, and is certainly a pathway to a larger movement both literary and social known as the The Beats. Strip away the pop iconography associated with the movement and you still have a very large legacy of artistic and political achievement.

There is nothing I can say regarding the book or the author that hasn't been said previously. To a kid from the midwest lacking identity, direction, role models, or even much imagination I could have experienced, perhaps, what Bob Dylan did "I realized there were others out there like me". If you haven't read On The Road or any of Kerouac's work, or taken some time to investigate the Beats I would recommend even a brief look - if you have, I would recommend a revisit.


Sample 1:Steve Allen Show

Sample 2:Jazz

Sample 3:On The Road and Dharma Bums