Desolation Angels by Jack Kerouac

Swan

After 20 some odd years of reading for enjoyment I’ve finally started reading Kerouac’s work and I really liked it, a lot more than I thought I would.

I finished reading Desolation Angels (one of his later novels) a few months ago, it was the first one I read, it started off kind of boring mainly because Jack was on top of a mountain alone working as a forest fire look out. The first few chapters are nothing but Jack describing his dreams and visions and describing all the things he’s going to do once he gets back to civilization.

I’ve never read anything like this before, I mean to write a novel based on your day to day experiences is one thing but to be able to draw the reader in the way he does is a testament to Kerouac’s talent. The book is like a painting and the words paint the picture in your mind. I know, what you’re going to say, “But that’s what books are supposed to do”, it’s not the same. With a normal novel you see the scenes play out in your head, with Kerouac it’s something different. It’s real, soulful art that is injected into your minds eye.

Swan

i see.

TrixieCat

I am a big fan of his work. You will encounter lots of people on here that don't..so watch out.
His soul comes through his words.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Dharma Bums is awesome as is, obviously (to me) On The Road.
His poetry is rocking as well.

Swan

TrixieCat wrote:

I am a big fan of his work. You will encounter lots of people on here that don't..so watch out.
His soul comes through his words.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Dharma Bums is awesome as is, obviously (to me) On The Road.
His poetry is rocking as well.

I’m reading On the Road now (60 pages into it), so far I’m enjoying it. I have Dharma Bums and Big Sur sitting on my bookshelf waiting.

TrixieCat

Swan wrote:

I’m reading On the Road now (60 pages into it), so far I’m enjoying it. I have Dharma Bums and Big Sur sitting on my bookshelf waiting.

I haven't read Big Sur. That is in the pile of to-read.
That pile is soooo big.
The Champ likes Kerouac, I know that.

xavier mcdaniel

i read on the road. i actually picked up at the citylights bookstore in san francisco. it made for some good late night reading on the PATH trains.

Swan

TrixieCat wrote:

I haven't read Big Sur. That is in the pile of to-read.
That pile is soooo big.
The Champ likes Kerouac, I know that.

i think i'm going to stop at Big Sur, i didn't really see anything else that caught my eye.

The Champ

TrixieCat wrote:

I haven't read Big Sur. That is in the pile of to-read.
That pile is soooo big.
The Champ likes Kerouac, I know that.

Hell yeah, Big Sur is the second novel I read by him. He wrote it at the end of his career at the height of his alcohol induced delirium/paranoia..Good novel..I'm actually not a big fan of Dharma Bums for some reason..I did enjoy 'Tristessa' though, check that one out..

Allie

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

i read on the road. i actually picked up at the citylights bookstore in san francisco. it made for some good late night reading on the PATH trains.

That is one of the most amazing bookstores. The cafes that the Beat writers hung out in are right over there also. I love that area of SF.

I don't think I finished On the Road. I remember starting it..