Jess Book #1: On the Road by Jack Kerouac

I'm one one-hundreth through the list. I think I'm going to approach this first book blog post by giving general thoughts and some themes that struck me the most. I'll let comments drive the discussion from there.

Initial impressions
I have mixed thoughts on the book. At times, I was captivated and completely enthralled with the characters and their adventures. at others, I was bored by what felt like the repetitive nature of Sal's back and forths across the continent.



The characterization in this book was fantastic. Frank mentioned to me he believed this was because the characters are based on real people. I maintain that despite this, the ability to put the characters' goals, ambitions, personalities and intricacies down into words makes Kerouac great, even if he was working from truth.

Perception of women
Throughout the novel, women come and go. In my opinion, no woman is truly a main character. The only time you really hear significant dialogue from a woman is when Galatea criticizes Dean in San Francisco.

Old Bull Lee's wife Jane is idealized in the book as the perfect woman. Sal mentions how her love for Lee is visible, that she's always within listening distance and she never talks back. In reality, William Burroughs (Old Bull Lee) killed his wife Joan (Jane), who happened to have a habit of sleeping with Kerouac (Sal).

The women in the book seem to be there for kicks. Companionship seems to come less from romantic relationships and more from the men's friendships.

The relationship between Dean and Sal
This friendship is one wild roller coaster, offering a new twist or loop every time the two reconnect and again when they go their own way. I feel like Sal is a glutton for punishment. When did Dean ever stand up for Sal? How often did Sal bail Dean out of a sticky situation? How much of Sal's good nature and money did Dean ever return? All of this is epitomized when Dean leaves Sal, potentially dying, in Mexico City.

Final thoughts
I generally keep a notebook or journal nearby when I read so I can write down words I don't know, words I love, phrases or passages that really capture me, etc.

A line that struck me in On the Road was: "Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together."

I think this encapsulates one of the main spirits of the book. Even when things were bopping and seemed great, there was always an issue between some couple, whether it was Galatea stuck in New Orleans or Camille calling from San Francisco. Despite attempts to separate from reality, Dean (and the others). still had to deal with this divorce or that support payment.

So... that's that. First book down, 99 to go. I'd love to hear thoughts, responses, questions, etc. from everyone.

Now, on to Vonnegut :)

j