On the Road

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Summary: Something to think about
Review: I read this book a few weeks ago, and wished it was on my list twenty years ago. So many things in this treasure of a book struck a cord: Cruising across the west on exhuberant road trips (done that), looking for "where it's at" (still wondering where it is). Yes, at times the fellows seem pathetic and misdirected, but who wants spoon-fed happy endings? Dean Moriarty is one of the most amazing characters I have ever come across- how much of him is fiction? Was Neal really so bizarre? I can't remember a book I've read that has jogged so many memories and made me think more about my place in the US. Definitely a great American novel, and also a universal novel for wandering souls everywhere.

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Summary: Inspirationally Exultant
Review: On the Road is a maserpiece and a life changing book. Kerouac has a brilliant way of distorting his words into spirals of vivid details and gripping imagery. I couldn't help but ingest Dean's radiating energy and zest. His never exhausting love of life is helplessly contagious. This jazz filled journey will take you, breathlessly, through the buzzing clubs and hitchhiked roads of beatnik America.

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Summary: Changed your life, what was it before?
Review: This is an average book that although not totally boring, is definatley not exciting. What's the point? And don't try to get poetic on me, this is a novel not a book of meaningless poems. Decent, but undeserving of the insane praise heaped upon it, grow up readers, get some perspective and taste.

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Summary: The book that defined a generation
Review: Jack Kerouac, although never totally accepting the title of father of the Beat generation, was in fact the greatest author to come out of this time of American literature and history. "On the Road" had such a profound effect on my life when I first read it when I was sixteen that from that time on I have been hopelessly dreaming of one day capturing my own sense of America by travelling across the country. Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, the main characters of this classic are do what most men today don't dare. They take off into the western sky and live life as it should be: free and unwilling to conform to the rules of society. This is one of the best novels of American literatrure ever. The chances of this book or this style ever being matched or surpassed are very slim. I only wish that Jack would have lived a little bit longer and wrote just a little bit more. I highly suggest this book and "The Dharma Bums" for anyone looking for a little piece of American mind, because that was exactly what Kerouac personified in his work.

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Summary: I hate to read but I loved this book!!!!!
Review: This was a great read, it got off to a very slow start; but the fact that I HAD to read it for class definitely was a factor in my completing this book. I may even be tempted to read another one of his books.......Oh pooh it's not on my syllabus :-) I definitely recommend this one. ENJOY...........

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Summary: Thin Surface Plot - Deep Intellectual Movement
Review: This may not be the best fiction novel I have ever read, but it is surely a translation of the changes that occured during the sedate fifties, leading into the radical sixties....every decade has it's own personality and On The Road is the book that bridged the young people from then to now.....

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Summary: The Greatest Book Ever Written
Review: I have to say that this book changed my life more than anything else. The story of Sal and Dean following their dreams and criss-crossing the country inspires me everytime I read this book. This book changed my life - I don't know what else to say. If you are thinking of buying this book, do it; if you already have read this book, you know the magic Kerouac can paint with the written word and I encourage you to read his other work (ie. Desolation Angels, The Dharma Bums, ect.) Kerouac is a literary god.

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Summary: Awesome book to read!
Review: Jack Kerouac's "On the road" is a great novel to read,I cannot see how anyone could hate such a book! This book just drew me in with such a force, since I'm not too fond of reading!Trust me,this book will make you realize how life "on the road" is and I tell you,I learned alot from reading this book! Jack Kerouac 1922-1969 R.I.P. my friend. Check this book out! Sid Mason

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Summary: Your Guide to 'Carpe Diem'
Review: After reading On the Road, one can begin to understand that period in American history. For those interested in the sixties era, this is a must read. If I had only been introduced to Kerouac in high-school; my life's decisions would have been markedly different. In additon, this novel opens the door to a great many other authors who deserve your attention: Kesey, Wolfe, Thompson. Basically, this is the first chapter in the 'Bible' of books I have developed over the past few years. For anyone who has the desire to roam free and seize the day, this is your guide!

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Summary: Very disappointed in this so called American classic.
Review: I had heard so much about this book that I felt compelled to read it.Although I've read various plotless novels before they always more than compensated with great character development or questioned the readers views.But "On The Road" is plotless, characterless and formless.With 50 pages to go I felt that maybe kerouac could pull the threads together but I was to be disappointed.Perhaps in the 50's this was new age hapless wondering without any of the social responsibilities of the age but to this 90's reader it seems very trying.