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2nd out of 14 books
—
5 voters
Off the Road: My Years with Cassady, Kerouac, and Ginsberg
Neal Cassady was a living legend, his dauntless, wild spirit immortalized in thebible of the Beat generation, Jack Kerouac's IOn the Road/I. In this vivid account, Neal's wife captures the turbulence and raw excitement of her years with Cassady, with Kerouac (her sometime lover), and with poet Allen Ginsberg#151;an intense rival for Neal's affections. The love triangles, n...more
Paperback, 464 pages
Published
August 1st 1991
by Penguin Books
(first published June 1st 1990)
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I found this book really interesting. It started with Carolyn meeting Neal and ended with his ashes being scattered on Jack's grave. I think I liked Carolyn better than Joyce though she was definitely a little strange. While her writing was very emotional and insightful there was definitely something or rather sometimes when it felt a little dishonest about it. Sometimes she'd talk at great lengths about her drug experiences and affairs, and then she'd spend ages talking about what a prude and h...more
It’s hard not to get caught up in the romance of Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady travelling across America in the 1950s. I keep thinking I’ll grow out of my fascination with Beat writers, but I haven’t yet. However, Carolyn Cassady’s memoir presents a starkly different perspective on Beat history: her story fills in the ‘inbetween’ times; a life of not being on the road, but at home with children and a real life.
In other books about Kerouac et al, both Neal and Carolyn are typically described in b...more
In other books about Kerouac et al, both Neal and Carolyn are typically described in b...more
Carolyn Cassady wrote this book about her marriage to Neal Cassady and her relationships with many beat writers, especially Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. I read this in a couple of days and never got bored with it. I've seen several reviews on her calling her a doormat. I think that's applying today's mindset to what people did fifty years ago. Also, why judge her at all? I didn't get the idea she wrote the book to justify her actions, she seemed to just want to tell what happened. I'm really...more
This book seemed very faithful about capturing the personal writings of "the Beat Generation," via letters and conversations. But the woman didn't seem to leave out a single gawddang thing . . . EVERYTHING is in there, so much that the reader should feel content to skim.
Carolyn Cassady entirely deserves to have her story voiced. Her writing style is both patient and intelligent. However, the story of her marriage to Neal Cassady reads as if she wants to be nominated for a sainthood, as if she ha...more
Carolyn Cassady entirely deserves to have her story voiced. Her writing style is both patient and intelligent. However, the story of her marriage to Neal Cassady reads as if she wants to be nominated for a sainthood, as if she ha...more
May 09, 2013
Toni Apicelli
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People interested in the Beats and the Merry Pranksters
If you're interested in Neal Cassady, Jack Karouac and Allen Ginsberg as well as the Merry Pranksters who travelled with Ken Kesey, this book gives you insight into the personal life of Cassady. Although Cassady is a legendary figure, being married to him and having three children by him sounds like a total nightmare. I couldn't help wondering all through the book why Carolyn Cassady stayed with him. "I loved him" didn't seem possible, but that's not for me to say. She tells her story well and t...more
Who wouldn't be able to empathize with Carolyn? The woman was anchor, shelter and tether to reality for these guys, and for years she managed to keep them from flying off the face of the earth. Credit due.
She gives a thoughtful and balanced account distanced by time and maturity, yet remains eternally near the subject. More credit due.
But what's the deal with the Cayce cult stuff?
She gives a thoughtful and balanced account distanced by time and maturity, yet remains eternally near the subject. More credit due.
But what's the deal with the Cayce cult stuff?
A lovely book which fills the heart with both despair and an appreciation of life upon finishing its last sentence. However, the only real issues with this book are her writing style which I found dry and void of any real quality but I'm certain this was on purpose to give the impression of 'bare to the bones' fact. Second, her obsession with filling passages with her progression in spiritual beliefs which if you aren't attracted by their ideas (which I wasn't) then they drag down otherwise inte...more
Brilliant book for the behind the scenes of the Beat authors. The woman behind Neal Cassady, living and dealing with his crazy ways and friends. Gives good insight to a fictionalized time. She makes references to Kerouac's books to put into perspective when her story takes place and what book he put those events in.
The overall impression I came away with was: Christ, I wouldn't want to have been a Beat WAG. Did I just say WAG? Argh. But in between shudders of relief at not being the 50s wife of an errant husband, I managed to fall in love with Jack (again) and cry a bucket, despite knowing before it began how it would end. Wonderful book, it put me in a funk for days.
The beat generation took place in Carolyn Cassady's living room. I don't know how she put up with Jack and Neal but her book is a great inside story for those who want to know more about the boys in the car "On The Road" and the women they left behind.
I read this book immediately after "On the Road". It added another dimension to Neal Cassady (Dean Moriarty) such as his belief in the teachings of Edgar Cayce and the A.R.E., his homosexual tendencies, and his involvement with Ken Kesey (author of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and the Merry Pranksters. Neal was wild but he was also an inconsiderate and possibly mentally-ill person. I can't believe she stuck with him through (most of) it. I hesitate to call her a doormat though because it's...more
I have to admit that the scene Carolyn describes walking into a room finding Neal screwing Allen from behind on the bed (I am new here, can I write this?), was a bit creepy. Jack and her was a better match. Wish they would have lived happily ever after.
Fascinating autobiography by the wife of Neal Cassady. Gives great perspective on much of the events that became parts of Kerouac's books, from the point-of-view of a the woman who was one of the sane posts that held up their traveling road shows.
I read reviews before I read this that Carolyn was "whiny" in the book but I don't agree at all. I think she gives a really in depth look at Neal Cassady and Jack Kerouac, and just tells the story from her point of view, which I thought was very interesting!
Living a chaotic life, sharing it with incredible men, she wrote this book not as a witness but as a true participant of the literary and musical movement I love. Was lucky enough to hear her read in Brighton many years ago,what a woman!
A different perspective on beat writers Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and beat icon Neal Cassady. This is "Mrs. Dean Moriarty" and someone applying today's relationship rules to her situation would probably call her a doormat to her husband's comings and goings and his dalliances on the side. However, her love for both Cassady and Kerouac is evident and she (rightfully?) concludes that her life was much more interesting than it otherwise would have been had she not met either of them or had the e...more
This really gave me a good perspective on the Beats. For some reason, it seemed strange to me to read this particular book because of the whole "boys club" feeling--but it was cool.
It's a good thing the men of the Beat Generation were good writers because for the most part, they sucked as husbands and fathers.
I enjoyed reading her perspective on the the relationship between Neil Cassady and the other Beat Poets
Brilliant read. The blurb notes that it fits 'On the Road' like a broken plate; couldn't agree more.
If You love the beat writers, then this is definitely a good book to read..Very wonderful writing!!
Great view from the other side. Cassidy speaks from the heart and takes a very honest look at the Beats and herself.
One of my all time favorite books. After reading Kerouac's On the Road in high school and nursing dreams of hopping trains, hanging out in jazz clubs and enjoying life with leisure, this account brings the reality into focus. She does a wonderful job shedding light on the realities of the beat lifestyle and those who had to pick up the pieces and pay the bills. She also manages to show the vunerable sides of many of the romantisized charaters of the beat generation.
When I started this book I found it interesting. I've always enjoyed the beat generation (and their antics), but as the book went on, it became repetitive and dull. How many times can you let one person treat you badly and forgive them? At first you feel bad for Carolyn but after a whole it's like give it up already. Basically the beginning is good, the middle is redundant and the end is pretty anti climatic. One good this is the beautiful descriptions it gives of san francisco and the bay area,...more
So often the men of the Beat generation are revered for their poetic, stream of conscience, semi autobiographical/culture study style of writing; but many are less aware of the women of the Beat generation. Carolyn Cassady is a heroin, an honest artist with insight into how the men in her life truely acted and how it affected her life as well as society. I have read and re read this book and she truely is one of the women I revere the most at this point in my life; you will never read anything b...more
Not a review but I have a personally signed copy!
Dec 03, 2011
Meter
added it
kinda dulls the shine doesn't it
The other side of the story. Jeez.
I read this book years ago and had to read it again after I read One and Only by Nicosia (Luanne Henderson's story/ Marylou). It was quite different and if not for reading both books my view on both women would have been quite positive but it does seem that she was trying to capitalize on fame of being with Neal Cassidy and Jack Kerouac after the fact. But the story is well written and does detail the life with all the famous writers. Must read for any Beat generation follower.
An interesting look at the founders of the Beat Generation from a womans perspective. I look forward to the On The Road years.
I was a bit disappointed in this book. Neal put her through some relly rough time and after hearing her whine about it and do nothing the story got old. It was an interesting look at the life of the beats but a bit redundant after awhile.
I was a bit disappointed in this book. Neal put her through some relly rough time and after hearing her whine about it and do nothing the story got old. It was an interesting look at the life of the beats but a bit redundant after awhile.
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