On the Road: the Original Scroll

Jack Kerouac

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beat generation culture

hedonistic road trips

spontaneous prose writing style

restless self indulgent characters

post world war ii america

freedom and adventure

fast paced narrative

immersion through jazz like rhythm

semi autobiographical travel themed novel

cultural climate of the 1940s

meandering plot structure

wondrous american lifestyle depiction

negative consequences of recklessness

'On the Road: the Original Scroll' by Jack Kerouac is a revolutionary autobiographical novel following Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty on a series of frenetic road trips across America and to Mexico in the late 1940s. The book captures the hedonistic and rebellious spirit of the Beat Generation, portraying a group of characters seeking adventure, spiritual transcendence, and a sense of belonging. Kerouac's writing style is described as both thought-provoking and rambling, with some readers praising the book for its wondrous adventure and stunning depiction of the Hipster American lifestyle, while others find the characters self-absorbed and the plot meandering.

Characters:

The characters, primarily Sal and Dean, are depicted as restless and self-indulgent individuals whose reckless pursuits often lead to negative consequences for themselves and others.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by spontaneous prose, long sentences, and a jazz-like rhythm, creating an energetic and immersive reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline focuses on Sal and Dean's aimless journey across America, exploring themes of freedom, hedonism, and search for meaning, but it lacks a clear plot structure.

Setting:

The setting is post-World War II America, highlighting significant cities and capturing the cultural climate of the Beat Generation.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and relentless, reflecting the spontaneity of the characters' journeys but can be perceived as repetitive and directionless.

I first met Dean not long after my wife and I split up. I had just gotten over a serious illness that I won’t bother to talk about, except that it had something to do with the miserably weary split-up...

Notes:

Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road in 1951 in just three weeks on a 120-foot roll of paper.

The story follows Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty as they travel across the U.S. from the late 1940s to the early 1950s.

The novel is often considered a defining work of the Beat Generation, expressing themes of freedom, rebellion, and exploration.

Kerouac's style is known as 'spontaneous prose,' mirroring the improvisational nature of jazz music.

The original version included real names, but for the published version,Kerouac changed them to fictional names for his friends.

Truman Capote famously criticized Kerouac, stating, 'That isn’t writing, it’s typing.'

The book depicts a search for meaning, with characters often feeling disillusioned and empty despite their adventures.

Kerouac's friendship with Neal Cassady (Dean) is central to the book, illustrating the complexities of their relationship.

The novel features vivid descriptions of American landscapes and culture, showcasing a period of unrest and change after WWII.

On the Road has inspired countless readers and writers seeking a sense of adventure and the quest for identity.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include drug use, sexual content, misogyny, and themes of mental illness.

Has Romance?

The novel contains elements of romance, portrayed through various relationships but often depicted in a fleeting and superficial manner.

From The Publisher:

The legendary 1951 scroll draft of On the Road, published as Kerouac originally composed it

Ratings (57)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (15)
Liked It (12)
It Was OK (13)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (5)

Reader Stats (86):

Read It (59)
Want To Read (23)
Not Interested (4)

4 comment(s)

tadowl921

Did Not Like

1 month

Idolized a crappy character

ColorfulLeo92

2 months

A big DNF, I didn't get far into the book but I didn't enjoy it one bit. Did not like how it was written and had no interest in continue

Bekahpaige

Incredible

5 months

I love this stream-of-consciousness travelogue

rukistarsailor

Hated It

7 months

DNF at about 30%

The only reason I was reading

On the Road in the first place is that it inspired at least one song by my favorite band ever, The Crookes.

I literally can't even read the book's prose--long, sprawling sentences and long paragraphs (which, to Kerouac's credit, reflect Sal's manic restlessness). More than that, I can't get behind a book that so blatantly romanticizes a white man's complacent and egocentric lifestyle.

I'm sort of glad I gave it a try, but this is just not for me.

What can you read after
On the Road: the Original Scroll?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), the central figure of the Beat Generation, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1922 and died in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1969. Among his many novels are On the Road, The Dharma Bums, Big Sur, and Visions of Cody.

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