Reviews

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

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annavwhaley's review against another edition

5.0

It was a river wonderland, the emptiness of the golden eternity, orders of moss and bark and twigs and mud, all ululating mysterious visionstuff before my eyes, tranquil an everlasting nevertheless, the hillhairing trees, the dancing sunlight. (Pg225)

acsaper's review against another edition

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3.0

What I learned from this book?! Well, not a whole lot. . .other than there's no need for me to feel bound by anything other than my personal happiness, and of course, trips home to mom!

Presented as Ray Smith in this autobiographical novel, Kerouac chronicles his time spent not so much [b:on the road|6288|The Road|Cormac McCarthy|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266449195s/6288.jpg|3355573] as he does off of it. The reader follows Kerouac up Matterhorn and back before finally camping out for a summer on Desolation Peak, true to its name.

A relatively simple read that flows quickly in Kerouac's familiar stream of conscious style writing. He is the only author I've found who can compress a thousand mile journey into a few pages yet still make it interesting to read.

As for the Buddhism? Well, not a whole lot of it is truly expounded. From what I picked up any references are purely Kerouac's anecdotal interpretations, but interesting nonetheless.

A fun story that begs the reader to turn off the tv, get out of the house and go see something. . .enjoy what you have, and if you don't, get rid of it, because you probably don't need it!

cami19's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

lapsedmarxist's review against another edition

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3.25

an exceptionally ordinary book. a short novel that cosplays as a short biographical book. it delves and deals with the exploration of admiration and friendship. he talks about the perils of putting people on pedestals. there is some cultural appropriation and this can either come off as the dharma bums appreciation of buddhism or them not knowing what they are doing. its short length is its strongest point. it is interesting if nothing else.

space_owl_'s review against another edition

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5.0

I felt I could identify with the spiritual desires of the main character in The Dharma Bums which is why I liked it so much. When Japhy reaches the top of the mountain and starts whooping and roaring in victory my body was electrified and I wept. Very powerful moment in not only the book but in my life.