Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

7 reviews

jessieherdman's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Fatphobia

amelody's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Sal Paradise is a colossal ass.  Hated these characters.   William  Burroughs ("Bull Lee") was the only one worth knowing.   And he was a self proclaimed junkie--and certainly no hero.   Kerouac seems to have been an irresponsible, privileged, little snot whose rambling search for himself or for adventure led him to use everyone he came into contact with to the best of his abilities.   The only saving grace of this book (beyond Bull Lee's practical interludes) is the fact that Kerouac/Paradise at least described the settings well.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism

sponberry's review against another edition

inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

There were parts of this book I enjoyed, in a madcap Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas kind of way, but to be honest this book is less put together than anything Hunter S Thompson would write. There are many places where the book doesn’t flow at all, and you have to slog through, unaided by Kerouac’s unedited slang style of prose.
I understand the significance of the beat movement and this book’s bearing upon it, but as a straight, white man in late 1940s America, the author succeeds only in upturning the status quo for himself and others like him, whilst firmly reinforcing it for literally every other marginalised group he encounters, including gay folks, women, black and indigenous people. What is the value of a movement that seeks to open up new ways of living if it entrenches inequalities in search of something as frivolous as fun?
I think this book is seriously overrated, even as a story it’s in dire need of some additional editing. However, I’m interested to read other books by the beat generation (I’ve read and loved some Patti Smith) and this did give a window into that era.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

_quinnsreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Reading this book made me feel like I've traveled to the entire America. I quite liked Dean although he's supposed to be the least likable character in the story. Also the adventure, the fun stuff and Kerouac's portrayal of romance and pop culture while living in the 1950's was ironically nostalgic for me while I was reading it. I hope to read more of Kerouac's wonderful works.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

kiwinele's review against another edition

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.25

Not a story worth reading.
It has definitely interesting writing, but the story has nothing more to give than nostalgia for the 50s in America. There is also a lot of racism, sexism, homophobia and pedophilia. And the characters are annoying and so self-centered, it was hard to read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism

Moderate: Toxic relationship

biljnavjestica's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Alcohol

wretchedtheo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Excrement

Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Excrement, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma