"Yes! You and I, Sal, we dig the whole world with a car like this because, man, the road must eventually lead to the whole world. Ain't nowhere else it can go - right?"
I had a hard time finishing On The Road. It's not a particularly strenuous or long read, but it drifts aimlessly, on and on, just like Sal's and Dean's trips.
A portrait of two young friends traveling across America immersing in cheap thrills, sex, drugs, and jazz while the world is on the brink of the most profound social changes ever.
On the Road is a cautionary tale. A bold, red-lettered warning sign delivered in beautiful and profoundly sad prose. It reminds us of the dangers of searching for happiness in the wrong places. I think Kerouac wanted to warn us about the beat lifestyle instead of advertising it.
It's the kind of book that hits differently depending on your age. At 21, you think the characters are "cool." At 31, you think they are a bunch of losers.
Ultimate sadness is pretending you are having a great time while deep down, you know you aren't. And nobody portrays this better than Kerouac.
On The Road might inspire you to jump on that road trip you've always wanted or forget about it.
The book is littered with beautiful prose, some jewels below.