Book of Sketches Quotes

“A scene should be selected by the writer for haunted-ness-of-mind interest.
If you're not haunted by something, as by a dream, a vision, or a memory, which are involuntary, you're not interested or even involved.”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“Hateful bitch of a world, it wouldn't ever last.”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“Sweet life continues in the breeze, in the golden fields.”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“The trouble with fashions is you want to fuck the women in their fashions but when the time comes they always take them off so they don't get wrinkled.
Face it, the really great fucks in a man's life was when there was no time to take yr clothes off, you were too hot and she was too hot - none of yr Bohemian leisure, this was middleclass explosions against snowbanks, against walls of shithouses in attics, on sudden couches in the lobby -
Talk about yr hot peace.”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“The words are clear as in the reflection of the world on the water. Therefore write the Word at once, everywhere, from now till your hand is paralyzed, for THERE will be your work for GOD, since you can not work for God in other ways, and would not, & don't know how, or bend that way, from habit, & from talent in the use & signification & arrangement of the Word.”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“And suddenly, not a soul's at the store as for other & similar & just as blank reasons, they've gone to the silence, the suppers of their own mystery.”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“Whatever anyone does,/ anyone says, in the/ past, now, everything, let/ it bounce off the rock/ of yr gladness (yr mirror)”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“...the/ supreme end-result of/ early Gothic phallic forms/ is the skyscraper & the/ oil drill & powered/ compressor & pistons of/ great engines...”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

“Work from your own side of literature/ & room fetish, not "publishing's" - ”
― Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches