Trying to be cool reading Jack Kerouac
Like me, does anyone think 'On the road' isn't all its cracked up to be?
(Errorist, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:33, 12 replies)

Far from cool was I
when I read it and it made a lot of sense to a teenage boy trying to figure out his mind and the world in general. Trying to read it again as an adult though is the same as with Tom Wolfe for me - I'm too old, fat and cynical.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:35, closed)

Think I must
have picked it up too late!
(Errorist, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:37, closed)

It's a piece of shit
Tried to read it at various points in my life and found it dull every time. Same with Naked Lunch
(frankspencer, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:43, closed)

agreed
He just seems a selfish little prick now whereas then he seemed a cavalier adventurer.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:44, closed)

It was
guff...
( Moey, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:47, closed)

board the bollocks off me
all my friends gave me the good boarders bollocks about how it effected there lives. frankly i was so board i got 3/4 the way through and started reading a star wars novel. much better
(CaptainCuntyBollocks the man who can with a frying pan full of lamb, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:50, closed)

poo, poo,
POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo!

Most of the "beat" era books are pretentious cock-jelly. Especially that turd of a book "Naked Lunch".
(Mr.Dog was in love again on, Fri 16 May 2008, 16:57, closed)

Naked Lunch is great
As a youth, one dabbled in hallucinogenics. Burroughs tapped the bubble of enlightenment beloved of those given to 'squeegying' the third eye. He also opened the door to sci-fi for me. Cronenbergs film was ace as well. A total visual treat.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Fri 16 May 2008, 17:02, closed)

Yep
Like most people i read it too late. It mostly boils down to "Wooo drugs, sex and parties! Dig it?"
(Urban Hermit Exit, pursued by a bear on, Fri 16 May 2008, 17:18, closed)

Never read it.
Bukowski, on the other hand, can be good in a sort of fucked up way.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 16 May 2008, 20:29, closed)

Yeah...
...put me off Kerouac for aaaages. The Dharma Bums is great though.
(splendid, Sat 17 May 2008, 14:17, closed)

hmm
I don't understand how people can slam a book because they don't sympathise or identify with the protagonist. A good book doesn't have to star a likable hero as long as it can pick up on the vibe, situations and emotions of a period. It's a book about searching for yourself, but it is also a book about a particular person searching for himself. Love him or hate him you should still be able to enjoy the story and learn something from the experience.

In my opinion anyway
(Roopy all is not what it seams, Sun 18 May 2008, 1:48, closed)