Books

8vo, 310pp; original cloth. A handsome copy of Kerouac's essential novel, his second book and a key work in modern American fiction. It would be inaccurate to characterize the first edition of On the Road as rare. It was, however, a popular success and copies were read to death. Copies in first rate collector's condition have become uncommon. The jacket has the original price of $3.95 and the colored bands at the top and bottom of the rear panel. The repair done to this copy was limited to the removal of small paint drip, filling in a shallow scratch, and reinforcing the edges in a couple of spots. There were no chips or tears and no reconstruction was indicated. Fine in a bright, first issue dust jacket that has undergone some neat, professional restoration; red on the spine slightly lightened, as usual.

Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel "On the Road" is an emblematic portrait of the Beat Generation, capturing the yearning for freedom and authenticity against postwar American conformity. This semi-autobiographical work, based on the adventures of Kerouac and his friends across America, is often seen as a defining work of the countercultural movements of the 1950s and 60s. It chronicles the cross-country voyages of Sal Paradise, Kerouac’s alter ego, and Dean Moriarty, a free-spirited, charismatic rebel. "On the Road" is structured around several trips made by Sal and Dean, describing their escapades as they travel back and forth across the country. These journeys are less about the destinations and more about the experiences they gather, the people they meet, and the quest for meaning in a society perceived as rigid and materialistic. The narrative style of the book, known for its spontaneous, stream-of-consciousness prose, mirrors the tumultuous, impulsive lives of its characters. The novel not only explores physical journeys but also personal and spiritual ones. Dean's frenetic energy and Sal’s introspective nature contrast sharply, yet both characters are united in their disdain for conventional values. They indulge in jazz, poetry, and drug use—exploring alternative forms of consciousness and relationships.