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A review by imrogers
Subterraneans by Jack Kerouac
4.0
Many reviews of Kerouac's work mention On the Road in some way (how can you not?), but I found this book far more readable. The prose is experimental, often rambling and elusive in terms of what it's describing, but it's also incredibly melodic and at times intensely powerful, and I found Kerouac's signature style far more palatable in this shorter form (the book is actually a novella).
In terms of plot, Kerouac's alter ego Leo Percepied navigates the San Francisco beat scene and starts a relationship with the black woman Mardou Fox, whereupon the book follows their ups and downs. In terms of exploring interracial dating in the 1950s, Kerouac touches on more than a few of the characters' uncertainties (mostly from the white male perspective) as well as relationship anxiety in general as Leo both reaches for Mardou and pushes her away. The jealousy subplot grows more intense in the final pages and explores the depths of Leo's anxiety still further.
All told, because of its stronger plot and shorter form, I'd take this over On the Road any day.
In terms of plot, Kerouac's alter ego Leo Percepied navigates the San Francisco beat scene and starts a relationship with the black woman Mardou Fox, whereupon the book follows their ups and downs. In terms of exploring interracial dating in the 1950s, Kerouac touches on more than a few of the characters' uncertainties (mostly from the white male perspective) as well as relationship anxiety in general as Leo both reaches for Mardou and pushes her away. The jealousy subplot grows more intense in the final pages and explores the depths of Leo's anxiety still further.
All told, because of its stronger plot and shorter form, I'd take this over On the Road any day.