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venusarium's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Story of Peter had so much potential and on some points I thoughts it might could have been better than on the road but unfortunately Kerouac never finished the book 😭
grrrlfriday's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings. The prose is fantastic and I loved the main character but I wish Kerouac wasn't so dismissive of the female characters in the novel. I realize it was the early 1940s so what can you expect, but it still bothered me. In some of the non-fiction writings at the end of the book he expressed some philosophies that I am opposed to, including some borderline racist sympathizing. It's almost like I wish I hadn't read it. Now I plan to go back and read some of my Kerouac favorites to see if those themes are present there as well, and decide if I need to retire them as favorites.
robertthereader's review against another edition
4.0
First time reading any Kerouac but it certainly won't be my last. As the same age as the protagonist there was no better time to read this coming of age story. Parallels can certainly be made between the political situation then and now; with FDR certainly appearing to have split opinion as Trump does now.
Kerouac's novel The Town and the City is continually referenced throughout and I will be checking this out very soon!
The edition I read contained some of Kerouac's diary entry's including letters from his father, Leo. I found his philosophical musings of deep interest. Other authors mentioned and who no doubt had an influence: Louis Ferdinand Celine and William S Burroughs were already on my to read list but now they have been moved to a more prominent position.
Kerouac's novel The Town and the City is continually referenced throughout and I will be checking this out very soon!
The edition I read contained some of Kerouac's diary entry's including letters from his father, Leo. I found his philosophical musings of deep interest. Other authors mentioned and who no doubt had an influence: Louis Ferdinand Celine and William S Burroughs were already on my to read list but now they have been moved to a more prominent position.