On the Road by Jack Kerouac Review

I read this culturally relevant piece out of curiosity and personal fulfillment, as I heard many things about how it is instrumental in defining the Beat Generation in America. I liked many of the lines and quotes; some of the descriptions Sal provided regarding the road he traveled on his journeys traipsing around America was truly breathtaking and I could feel his passion for life contrasted by his low moments of disillusionment and frustration with life, something every generation struggles with, it seems like. I found that the quote, “In God’s name and under the stars, what for?” describes my state of being at times very aptly. 

However, despite some highlights, On the Road was definitely too stream of consciousness for me to thoroughly enjoy it, it could have been cut in half and I would have been content, if not still a little tired of the prose, repetitive back and forth between the characters, and continuous drifting of Sal by the end of it. I read in the Penguin Classics Edition introduction that Kerouac wrote this in 3 weeks and I can definitely tell; It’s said by Truman Capote that this is more like typing than actual writing. I have to agree, this was less structured than I had expected from a classic as prevalent such as this. But maybe this iconic style of prose is the reason for it's lasting impact. Nevertheless, I am glad to have dove headfirst into it and am now able to better understand the Beat Generation, after all, the aspects I found tiring may have been purposeful in displaying what they went through mentally.