Big Sur by Jack Kerouac Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Big Sur
Book Review: An amazing book
Summary: 5 Stars
Big Sur is one of the most harrowing books ever written about alcoholism, mental illness, and fame. The demons that Jack Kerouac describes in this book will be nothing new to people who have read the previous novels in his autobiographical Dulouz Saga. Throughout all of his work, Kerouac was painfully honest about his problems with alcohol, his tendency towards manic depression and paranoia, and his inability to find joy or hope in anything for too long of a time. However, in Big Sur, one thing has changed. Kerouac's surrogate Jack Dulouz is now a famous writer -- an icon to young, wanna-be beatniks everywhere. Whereas previously Dulouz's breakdowns were, at least, only seen by his friends, he now finds his problems observed, it seems, by the entire world. Reeling from the sudden success of his novel "Road" (which, of course, is Kerouac's On the Road), Dulouz accepts an invitation to spend a few months at a cabin in Big Sur where he can get away from his new admirers (who, in a few bitingly humorous passages, are described as tracking him down at his mother's house, expecting to find a young hellion and becoming angered when they find the actual middle-aged, rather conservative Dulouz). Alone, Dulouz hopes to commune with nature but instead, he finds the crashing of the nearby surf to be oppressive and even imagines it as a voice condemning him for his many sins. As a result, Dulouz descends further and further into alcoholism and insanity before finally hitchhiking to a nearby town where he ends up romantically entangled with a truly horrific woman and coming face-to-face with his future fate if he doesn't change his ways. (Sadly, the fate that Dulouz tries to escape in this book would be the fate that would eventually claim Kerouac in reality.) Its a harrowing vision, one that is as readable as it is scary. Especially poignant is the knowledge that Kerouac pretty much wrote the book as the events were happening. When we see Dulouz go insane, its impossible to forget that Kerouac wrote this while going crazy himself. There's been a tendency to undervalue the literary worth of Jack Kerouac. While most critics will now grudgingly admit the importance of On the Road, his other works are often dismissed. Beyond a loyal following, many seem to agree with Truman Capote's unfair assessment of Kerouac's work -- "That's not writing. Its typing." Well, it is true that Kerouac's writing was basically a recording of the events of his life and, much like life, Kerouac's books often had a certain randomness to them. While it is incorrect to see that they lacked structure, it was a very subtle structure that demanded the reader search his words for the hidden meaning on their own as opposed to simply having Kerouac's themes spoon fed to them. What is often missed that if Kerouac was simply recording his life, he still did it with a talent and an honesty that elavated events that might have been dismissed as mundane or simply pathetic and instead, shaped them into a haunting portrait of what it was like to be lost in a country that seemed to regard that as a crime. Big Sur seems to serve as his answer to all of those who were too quick to automatically idealize the vision he put forth in On the Road. Its a book that everyone who claims to be imitating Kerouac's popular image should read. There was a lot more to Jack Kerouac's talent than just the media hype surrounding the so-called Beat Generation and Kerouac deserves better than to be remembered for only one (admitedly wonderful) book. Big Sur is one of the greatest American novels of the 20th Century and remains Jack Kerouac's most vibrant literary legacy. Unfortunately, he destroyed himself to create it.
Book Review: An excellent follow-up to ON THE ROAD.
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book directly after ON THE ROAD, and I have to say it is a remarkable follow up. One of the great things about Kerouac's work is even though this book did come out years after ON THE ROAD, the reader is able to fully understand and appreciate what it offers even without reading anything else by the author. Kerouac is still able to retain the same mood and overall appeal that he introduced the public to in his original classic even though this novel does come out years later. Though the character's names have all changed (from their original ON THE ROAD personas), the reader is able to recognize the menagerie and welcomes back the misadventures of old friends. Even if one is not a fan of the newly popular beat writers, Kerouac creates a story on the further search for humanity thoroughly enjoyable to anyone with the slightest interest in the essence of man and what it means to live.Book Review: BOOM
Summary: 3 Stars
At first it is little confusing but the Boom, Boom sound of the crashing sea is real and got into my head. I found that It was worth waiting for him to get back to civilization and then you also read about over people. My last words to you are that beats do not die they just get older.Book Review: Better than "On the Road"
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't get me wrong--I enjoyed On the Road as the next Joe Shmoe but it wasn't as deep and insightful as Big Sur. Here Jack deals with alcoholism, sexual frustration, a few pretty interesting nervous breakdowns and spiritual breakdowns, people that dont give rides anymore, his fear and owe of the sea, a chair that ends up breaking, naps in a park, and how his feet hurt after walking from Big Sur to San Fran. very interesting reading---very recommended!Book Review: Big Slur
Summary: 5 Stars
Kerouac's Big Sur, written after his mega-success with On The Road, could be argued as a very dark, depressing read. On the contrary, I found it very revealing about one of my favorite writers, and his frame of mind at the time.
Given the opportunity to seclude himself from his friends, fame, and drinking to excess in the cabin of a friend, Kerouac sinks into a sort of paranoia and anxiety, and finally gives in to his impulse to return to 'civilization'....and then proceeds to invite a group back to the cabin, leading him to realize that his most recent affair was with a girl he didn't actually love.
The most fascinating aspect of this novel, to me, is not the horrific volume of drinking Kerouac does at this stage of his life, but in the fact that though he was put off by his fame, and being dubbed 'the King of the Beats', and at being hounded by ardent fans who wanted to merely be in his presence...he couldn't stand the isolation.
Also of interest to me was the 'honesty' he put into his feelings about the actions of his fans...they say 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery', but Kerouac seemed to think just the opposite...and all but told his fans/readers to 'get a life' in several passages of the book. Those in his industry, who rely so heavily on fan-support rarely ever are so vocal about their distaste for those same fans, without a severely negative impact on their sales.
An excellent read, though if you are looking for 'uplifting', spiritually awakening wisdom from the 'king of the beats', look elsewhere. This book is a downward spiral into the darker recesses of Kerouac's alcohol-induced delirium.