Although he is best known as a writer of prose, Jack Kerouac was an important poet, his work described by Michael McClure as "startling in its maje...
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Sep 14, 2010
Eddie
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Jack Kerouac reminds me of my father-in-law a little, though my father-in-law’s hands are ever working with drywall, fiberglass, salvaged wood scraps, and various buckets of construction slops rather than with words. They both, however, swill(ed) bourbon like mother’s milk.
But the true substance of this comparison is their sensuous sloppiness coupled with an emotional apprehension of the world that can slip into the maudlin exposing a raw sensitivity that often masks itself in devil More...
But the true substance of this comparison is their sensuous sloppiness coupled with an emotional apprehension of the world that can slip into the maudlin exposing a raw sensitivity that often masks itself in devil More...
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Nov 18, 2011
Nativeabuse
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I like Kerouac's books, I like Ginsbergs poetry, I love Burroughs, I love avant-garde poetry. So I was expecting to enjoy this.
But this was the worst poetry I have ever read in my entire life. I honestly don't understand all these high ratings at all.
It is hard to describe, It isn't all terrible, but a majority of it is. Most of it looks like the guy was trying to do cutups, and then when you realize he wasn't and he was seriously trying to write poetry about the streets of t More...
But this was the worst poetry I have ever read in my entire life. I honestly don't understand all these high ratings at all.
It is hard to describe, It isn't all terrible, but a majority of it is. Most of it looks like the guy was trying to do cutups, and then when you realize he wasn't and he was seriously trying to write poetry about the streets of t More...
Jul 31, 2010
Michael
rated it: 
I've always felt that Kerouac's poetry was highly underrated since his prose is so celebrated. Kerouac attempted to be as free as one can possibly be in a prose setting, but in his poems he didn't have to try so hard because of the form. And it shows. Personally, I feel some of his best writing is contained in a few of these blues poems and in Mexico City Blues. Some of it rivals and/or surpasses any of Ginsberg's non-Howl/Kaddish/Fall of America poems. And that's saying something. I think Kerou
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Mar 08, 2009
JJ
rated it:
I bought this to be a very fun kick around read and it turned out to work great for that. It was uplifting to read a few of Kerouac's choruses at any time and they really made me pay attention to detail.
This was the first book I wrote in. Different things that he spoke about which I wanted to read more about.
Also served as a good inspiration for my own writing. Just to experience his flow of thoughts at your own pacing was cool enough.
This was the first book I wrote in. Different things that he spoke about which I wanted to read more about.
Also served as a good inspiration for my own writing. Just to experience his flow of thoughts at your own pacing was cool enough.
Dec 19, 2010
i like to just thumb through this book every once in awhile. not really something on would sit down & read from one cover to the other, they could, but its not necessarily meant to be, & certainly not requied.
Mar 12, 2010
Phil
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I am not a big fan of Kerouac, but I was very pleased with this book. His method of composing words around music and jazz I found translated very well in his poetry. The fact that it didnt seem that he was trying to be a poet gave his verse that much more of a resonance that I feel is missing in much of his prose. All that being said, it would be hard to get a feel for this book without already being familiar with at least some of his prose for it is very intimate and needs a little background.
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Aug 11, 2009
Ichaerus
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I love Kerouac, but I far prefer his prose to his poetry. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy the book, I did. I just prefer his prose style.
Aug 06, 2008
m.
rated it:
some of his most famous poems are part of this collection, poems that you can read with his voice in your head, because there exist recordings of them.
Sep 26, 2007
Gene
rated it: 
Don't get me wrong, I do really love my Kerouac, but this book is ridiculously hit or miss. Kerouac's strength is in his prose, go read that.
Jun 28, 2007
Joe
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Read this book while listening to some Bop. Kerouac incorporates the rhythms of jazz and blues nearly perfectly.
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