On the Road

By Jack Kerouac

Book Overview

On the Road by Jack Kerouac is the exhilarating novel that defined the Beat Generation and is a 2012 major motion picture starring Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst and Sam Riley, beautifully repackaged as part of the Penguin Essentials range.

'What's your road, man? - holyboy road, madman road, rainbow road, guppy road, any road. It's an anywhere road for anybody anyhow.'

Sal Paradise, young and innocent, joins the slightly crazed Dean Moriarty on a breathless, exuberant ride back and forth across the United States. Their hedonistic search for release or fulfilment through drink, sex, drugs and jazz becomes an exploration of personal freedom, a test of the limits of the American Dream.

A brilliant blend of fiction and autobiography, Jack Kerouac's exhilarating novel defined the new 'Beat' generation and became the bible of the counter culture.

'On the Road sold a trillion Levis and a million espresso machines, and also sent countless kids on the road. The alienation, the restlessness, the dissatisfaction were already there waiting when Kerouac pointed out the road' William Burroughs

'Pop writing at its best. It changed the way I saw the world, making me yearn for fresh experience' Hanif Kureishi, Independent on Sunday

Jack Kerouac was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1922. Educated by Jesuit brothers in Lowell, he decided to become a writer at age seventeen and developed his own writing style, which he called 'spontaneous prose'. He used this technique to record the life of the American 'traveler' and the experiences of the Beat Generation, most memorably in On the Road and also in The Subterraneans and The Dharma Bums. His other works include Big Sur, Desolation Angels, Lonesome Traveler, Visions of Gerard, Tristessa, and a book of poetry called Mexico City Blues. Jack Kerouac died in 1969.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0241951534
• ISBN13: 9780241951538
• Release Date: April 2011
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 4.4" x 0.7" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

A great book.

A great example of the crazy post World War II disenfranchised youths.

An Overrated Memoir of Privilege and Selfishness

Overlong, aimless, self-indulgent book that allows us to share an interminable journey with an unremarkable mind.

Will make you want to hit the road in search of a new adventure

Fantastic book. Jack Kerouac is so good at making the reader feel excited, like we’re In the moment with them. The language and slang are a little dated, but adds to the nuance

Absolutely bonkers

Book starts off with a bang. Kerouac really paints a vivid picture and sets the frantic tone of the novel. But it weighs down in the middle and feels repetitive at times. Ultimately finishes with a bang. I can see why it is considered a classic.

Fantastic and fast read

take a shot every time kerouac describes the sun as 'red'

It Was Hip To Be "Beat"....I Had A Great Time... Again!... (Audio Edition)

This review refers to the audio edition of "On The Road"(Unabridged) by Jack Kerouac.... Jack Kerouac's words and characters come alive in this outstanding read by Matt Dillon. Each character from the life loving "Sal Paradise", to the complex "Dean Moriarity" and all the colorful personalities we meet "On The Road" are given life as Dillon captures the essence of what Kerouac himself called the "Beat" generation. 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", based on Kerouac's own travels, follows the adventures of Sal and Dean 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 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. This audio edition will have you spellbound. I listened to it every chance I got... while cleaning or working out, and became so engrossed I lost track of the time and my reps(my house is now very clean and my arms very toned!), and brought it with me every time I went somewhere in the car. If you're looking for a great audio book, a story that pulls you in and a reader who will captivate you, this is one you should consider.I had a great time(Again) and wished I was there! If the CD is the edition you want be sure that the ISBN on the product page is 0060755334(sometimes the reviews for all the different editions are mixed together).This unabridged edition is also available on cassette-On The Road (ISBN 0694523615). If interested in that edition please see my review of 9/13/03 for details),but in short I can tell you the tapes were an excellent quality as well. "What's your road, man?".......enjoy...Laurie

Friggin Great book

I'm only a freshmen in high school, but this is my favorite book. I liked it so much that I got through the 300+ page book in 3 days. I would read it during classes under my desk, during my study halls, and the first thing I did when i got home was read it. It Kerouac made me feel compasion for the characters criss-crossing endlessly across the country. Sure, at times the plot may have gotten a little of track and aimless, but not enough to make me stop reading.