Books

KEROUAC, Jack (1922-1969) Typed letter signed twice " Jack " and " Jack Kerouac " to Granville H. Jones [Northport, New York, 22 November 1960] 2 p. in-4°, with enveloppe Fold marks, small sport on lower margin of page 2 A fine letter – partly unpublished – in which kerouac speaks of his legendary novel On the Road and the criticism he has been the subject of, his faith in writing, his disgust with celebrity and more broadly his vision of the evolution of American society "Dear Granville, Your thesis was given to me by Jas. Benenson. It is such a neat volume, I mean the typing, the exhaustive bibliographies, the whole works. It is the only thing too that has made me happy in three years, since the publication of On the Road and the subsequent sickeningness of 'being famous' (being used by everybody and his uncle) and of course the nausea of phoney criticisms based on the wrong reasons (as for instance those who 'admire' for being so 'wild & irresponsible' etc.) What you've…

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.