Customer Reviews

On the Road (Essential Penguin)

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Before there were Hippies or Yuppies, it was hip to be "Beat".The generation of writers, poets, artists, and musicians living Bohemian lifestyles, yearning for knowledge,and enjoying life to it's fullest.

"On The Road",a novel based on Kerouac's own travels, follows the adventures of the life loving Sal Paradise and the complex Dean Moriarity as they criss-cross North America, usually broke, trying to find themselves. They experience life, and lifestyles new to them and savor every moment. Every colorful character they encounter touches their lives in some way, and adds greatly to this story. Kerouac's zest for life and love of people becomes apparent and is contagious.His wonderful descriptive phrases leave you with fabulous images of the people, the places, and the times.I often found myself smiling or even laughing out loud.

It's a story that captures and preserves on it's pages the essence of the "beat generation" and is so engrossing, you may lose track of all time. And for those that love Kerouac's words and can't get enough,you can take him with you! This book is also available on an unabridged CD -On The Road CDwith a reading that will give you an even deeper appreciation of these wonderful characters,one that brings them to life.Actor Matt Dillon,captures every delicious moment as if he was Kerouac himself.For details on the audio editions - see my review.

With every read, I have a great time, and wish I was there!

"What's your road, man?"....enjoy...Laurie

This book has inspired my 14 year old son to read more and
try his hand at poetry as well as explore other religions

The book came very quickly and was in good condition
It is a classic and a good depiction of
"the beat generation life style" for those who
were born well after the fact.... :)

Great book, fast moving, way ahead of its time. The book describes the travels of a young man through the USA, shortly after the war. Written on one long sheet of paper and within in three weeks, its speed and impact changed a generation. Even now great stuff to read.

While there are many labels associated with the group of individuals known as the " Beat Generation", it is hard to ignore the eloquence and unique style of some of its greatest writers . Among these is Jack Kerouac. In his most famous work Kerouac sharply follows the seemingly aimless wanderings of the main character, and by doing so describes the characteristic of a nation. It is not a hard task to find a part of one's self in this novel's cast of characters.
One reason for" On the Road" 's endurance is its ability to capture the emotion and motives of the youth in a war weary nation.