On The Road, the most famous of Jack Kerouac's works, is not only the soul of the Beat movement and literature, but one of the most important novels of the century. Like nearly all of Kerouac's writing, On The Road is thinly fictionalized autobiography, filled with a cast made of Kerouac's real life friends, lovers, and fellow travelers. Narrated by Sal Paradise, one of Kerouac's alter-egos, On the Road is a cross-country bohemian odyssey that not only influenced writing in the years since its 1957 publication but penetrated into the deepest levels of American thought and culture.

PM ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN BOOKRING (Australia only)
COMPLETED JUNE 2007

feryl•NSW
lakelady2282•NSW
mummafour•SA
alice2623663•NSW
DrCris•VIC - asked to be skipped
back to michyj•QLD

Arrived in the mail today... thanks michyj! :o)

Woah. What a mad, mad, mad, mad world Sal and his friends live in!! Especially Dean - I can only imagine how charistmatic he must have been in order for Sal and Camille to put up with such a self-indulgent, uncontrollable nut-job for so long.

I was wondering all the way through just how old everybody was - ages were rarely mentioned, and I don't think Sal and Dean's ages were mentioned at all. In the beginning, Sal had already been married and divorced so I assumed he was at least in his mid-twenties, and he was about 5 years older than Dean who was already married to Marylou at that point - but later we find out Marylou was only 15 when they met... I'd love to know what had become of Sal's parents, who were barely referred to at all, although he did mention at one point that his father was dead.

I'm glad I read this, it's enough of a modern classic that I felt I should read it - but I don't know that I'll seek out any more of Kerouac's writing... the constant, uninhibited, unapologetic worshipping at the altar of hedonism left me feeling slightly dirty! Moreso because it's based on fact.

Will put in the mail to lakelady2282 soon...

Thank you for posting out Feryl. Love the label michyj! I am just in the mood for the book. (I think.)

I really enjoyed this and I wasn't expecting to. I mean it really is too long but somehow hypnotic and I just kept being drawn back to it. Although Kerouac's descriptions of the places they visit are quite evocative, I would love to see photos. As it is 50 years next year to publication hopefully a pictorial edition might come out. I was also very drawn to a way of life that I believe is not really possible anymore. I find the 40's and 50's very interesting and Kerouac has sparked my interest even more. I will be hunting out Joyce Johnson's Minor Characters on women in the beat orbit of Kerouac and I have included for the rest of the ring a two page print out from Wikipedia of the names of characters and their matching real life counterparts. Thanks so much michyj and Feryl. Will pm the next person soon.

RELEASE NOTES:

Thank you lakelady2282 arrived today I will start reading tonight!

I really enjoyed this book it showed the crazy life in the 50's with Kerovac and his friends crazy life on the road.I didnt relate to any of the characters but I appreciated and learned from their experiences.
Thanks for sharing michyj.

Posted to alice2623663 this morning!

Arrived two days ago but this is the first chance I've had to journal it. The package it came in was kind of ripped and so is the front cover but I'm not sure if it was like that before it was sent? Anyway, I hope to read this book soon.

I really enjoyed this book. It's funny because when I signed up for it I didn't know anything about it but since reading it I've heard it referred to on TV shows that I've watched (The O.C and Buffy). Anyways, I'll contact the next reader and send it as soon as I get a chance.

A bookring has made its way home, 'almost' in one piece. I've taped the cover back together and it's as good as new and ready to sit on mt tbr until I can get to it. Thanks to all who participated, looks like you all enjoyed it!

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Taking this to the Brisbane Meet Up and if no one claims it, I will wild release it in the area.

Picked this up at the Brisbane Christmas Meet-up in Avid Reader Café. Actually heard lots about this lately and was interested in reading it, so am delighted to have picked it up.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Didn't quite get into this book myself, despite really, really trying because of its status as a modern classic. I only made it about 30 pages. I guess I'm just not in the right place for a read like this at this time in my life - maybe I'll come back to it in the future.

I'm sure it will find a reader who does enjoy it though!

Left on a Caboolture - Brisbane train.