Review from a Transgressive Fiction Fan
Kerouac’s masterpiece breathes youth and vigor for the duration and created the American bohemian “beat” lifestyle which has been the subject of innumerable subsequent books, songs, and movies. I have read this at least two or three times and always feel a bit breathless and invigorated because of the restlessness of the text and the vibrance of the characters. There was an extraordinary exhibit at the Pompidou Center earlier this year where the original draft in Kerouac’s handwriting was laid out end to end in a glass case. It was like seeing the original copy of Don Quixote in the royal palace in Madrid – very moving. In any case, there is no excuse not to read this wonderful high point of mid-20th century American literature.
“Insightful” Review from a Mainstream Reader
This is probably the worst book I have ever finished, and I’m forever indebted to the deeply personality-disordered college professor who assigned it, because if it hadn’t been for that class I never would’ve gotten through, and I gotta tell you, this is the book I love to hate.