Review: On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Review of the book “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac.

“On the Road” is an iconic novel of the Beat Generation, written by Jack Kerouac and published in 1957. The book follows Sal Paradise, a young writer who embarks on a journey of personal discovery across the United States, accompanied by by his friend and mentor Dean Moriarty. The novel is an exploration of freedom, the pursuit of happiness, and rebellion against social norms.

On the Road is a novel by the American writer Jack Kerouac, published in 1957. It is considered one of the most representative works of the Beat generation, a literary and cultural movement that emerged in the 1950s and was characterized by its rebellion, its search for of freedom and his experimentation with drugs, sex and spirituality.

The novel is based on the trips that Kerouac himself made through the United States and Mexico between 1947 and 1950, together with his friends and companions in adventures, such as Neal Cassady, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs and Gregory Corso. The protagonist of the novel is Sal Paradise, a young writer who feels dissatisfied with his life and decides to hit the road in search of new experiences and sensations. His main traveling companion is Dean Moriarty, a charismatic, impulsive and hedonistic character, who represents the free and wild spirit of the beat generation.

On the Road is a novel that breaks with traditional narrative conventions and is based on the spontaneous and frenetic style of Kerouac, who wrote the first draft in just three weeks, on a continuous roll of paper. The novel is divided into five parts, which correspond to the different journeys made by the characters. On each trip, Sal and Dean travel through different cities and landscapes in the United States and Mexico, where they meet all kinds of people and experience all kinds of situations. The novel reflects the contrast between urban and rural culture, between east and west, between north and south, between white and black, between the material and the spiritual.

On the Road is a novel that has influenced generations of readers and writers, who have found in it a source of inspiration and an invitation to live life intensely and without ties. The novel has also been adapted to film, theater and music, and has been recognized as one of the best works of American literature of the 20th century.

Kerouac’s prose is intense and rhythmic, with a style that resembles jazz. The narrative is made up of a series of improvised episodes, in which the characters interact with a wide variety of people in different parts of the country. Kerouac introduces a host of memorable characters, from Sal’s friends to strangers they meet on the road. Through these interactions, the novel captures the atmosphere of the 1950s and the sense of change and freedom that was present in American culture at the time.

The novel is also a reflection on the meaning of freedom and the search for meaning in life. Sal and Dean are constantly seeking new experiences and emotions, trying to find purpose in their nomadic life. However, they also face the reality of life and its responsibilities, and often suffer the consequences of their choices.

Furthermore, “On the Road” is also a critique of conventional culture and conformity. The characters in the novel are rebels against society and the restrictions it imposes. Kerouac shows the alienation and dissatisfaction that results from living a conventional life, and suggests that true happiness is found in freedom and spontaneity.

In short, “On the Road” is a powerful and influential novel that captures the energy and spirit of the Beat Generation. Kerouac uses poetic and emotional prose to create a literary work that celebrates freedom, rebellion, and personal exploration. The novel remains a classic of American literature, and it is a work that continues to inspire and excite readers around the world.