Expanding on the Legacy of “On the Road”
September 5 marks an influential date in the world of literature when Jack Kerouac’s groundbreaking novel “On the Road” was published.
Released on September 5, 1957, by Viking Press, “On the Road” immediately took center stage in the Beat movement, earning Kerouac the well-deserved title ‘King of the Beats.’ Renowned for its dynamic style and vibrant storytelling, the novel was penned by Kerouac in just three weeks in April 1951.
A staunch advocate for spontaneous prose and continuous freewriting, Kerouac crafted his manuscript on a colossal 120-foot scroll of paper. The core narrative of the novel is rooted in Kerouac’s real-life adventures on the road, traversing the United States from 1947 to 1950.
Plot Points
September 5, 1957: On the Road is Published
Jack Kerouac’s second novel, On the Road, was published by Viking Press on September 5. The book is a central piece of the Beat Generation and the counterculture movement of the postwar United States. Kerouac was proclaimed the voice of this generation, earning him the title ‘King of the Beats.’
The novel was famously written in 3 weeks in April of 1951. Kerouac, a proponent of continuous freewriting and spontaneous prose, wrote the manuscript on a 120-foot scroll of paper. The novel is based on Kerouac’s experience traveling across the United States from 1947 to 1950.
Additional Facts About On the Road
Now that you’re here, why not learn a few more facts about the book? Aspiring writers should note that Kerouac’s novel drew from real-life experiences and was a struggle to publish. How many of the following facts about “On the Road” did you know?
Kerouac’s Characters Are Based On Real People
Much of Jack Kerouac’s work is autobiographical and based on his own adventures. In the original manuscript of “On the Road,” Kerouac uses the actual names of the friends and family he interacted with. Using pseudonyms for the names of all the major characters was one of the necessary edits required to publish the book. Some later versions of the publication have been printed to reveal the original names of Kerouac’s characters.
Prominent figures of the Beat Generation are characters in the novel under aliases. Jack Kerouac himself is the narrator, Sal Paradise. Additionally, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Neal Cassady are Old Bull Lee, Carlo Marx, and Dean Moriarty, respectively. Kerouac kept notebooks of his adventures, which were eventually compiled into the manuscript.
Kerouac Was Rejected Several Times
Kerouac finished his novel in 1951, but would not find a publisher for six years. According to his agent, the author was sometimes frustrated by the lengthy process. Although a handful of publishers recognized Kerouac’s talent, they still passed on his work. “On the Road” was eventually published by Viking Press on September 5, 1957.
Contrary to popular belief, the novel was heavily edited before publication. In addition to the aforementioned name changes, the manuscript underwent formatting changes and omissions. Kerouac also drew from his extensive notes and experiences when performing his spontaneous prose, stream-of-consciousness writing style.
The Novel is An Important Piece of Literature
On the Road is considered a defining work of the postwar Beat and Counterculture generations. It is ranked 55th on Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels. It is consistently regarded highly as an essential piece of 20th-century writing.
When it was published, Kerouac’s novel received mixed reviews. New York Times Critic Gilbert Millstein praised On the Road. According to his review: “the most beautifully executed, the clearest and the most important utterance yet made by the generation Kerouac himself named years ago as ‘Beat,’ and whose principal avatar he is.”
Reliable Thoughts
Kerouac’s “On The Road” is more than just a book. It is the voice of an era and a cultural icon. However, despite its acclaimed status, it took years before the author was able to find a publisher.
For those looking to write their own masterpieces, there is much to learn from Kerouac’s publishing struggles. Despite the early rejection, he remained dedicated to his craft. This tale of persistence serves as a beacon for aspiring writers everywhere.
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