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Ann Charters, (Kerouac's first biographer) editor of this volume, has done a pain-staking and beautiful job with this book - we come to know him as a man, the artist and his concerns; generosity, relationships; his struggle with the demon drink and, most importantly, the development of his unique prose style, leading to his now iconic status.The letters begin in the year (1957) when "On the Road" was published. Kerouac was also a prolific poet. In part 2 of Kerouac's Selected Letters, the text truly gives the student or curious, a penetrating look into this enigmatic and ultimately tragic American author.
It is true - it was the booze that killed his body but it was fame as an author that murdered his soul. Some call his "novel", Mexico City Blues, one long, epic poem. More than likely, it was both.Ann Charters suggests that these letters were experiments in style and possible new ideas for future projects, his friends perhaps 'sounding boards' where the reader can see his development of what is famously known as "spontaneous prose".
For any biographer or historian the original letters of the subject is a valuable and extremely important source of information in order to gain insight into the time period, and/or the person under study. As the years progress, sadly, his drinking accelerates, he becomes more and more misanthropic and, in the end, paranoid. This particular book, for me, was difficult to read, until viewing the piece as poetry - it was then the penny dropped and the book became much easier to read.An example of a little poem written for Stella Sampas to Gary Snyder from Japan:"A poem to Stella Sampas.""After the shower,Among the drenched roses, The bird thrashing in the bathAfter the shower, my cat meowingOn the porch"It has always been my opinion that Jack's poetry is underrated, but that's neither here nor there.Kerouac wanted his letters to be published thus he kept copies in neat files by year.Anyone interested in American literature, pursuing a research project or wanting greater insight into the man, these letters are an invaluble historical document revealing the inner workings of the "Beat Generation" that continues to affect most modern writing to present time.
For many, Jack Krerouac represents an important shift in American literature but also a significant historical (literary) mark of an entire generation. At this stage of Kerouac's life, from the tone and content of his letters, he is excited, finishing incomplete manuscripts, organizing "get- togethers', writing his publisher and working on new projects.
One day, Kerouac thrills at the prospect of a cabin in the woods in utter isolation(to get away from the partying New York scene); the next day he has plans to live on a commune type ranch with all his friends - or move to Mexico, or Colorado or San Francisco or any number of addresses on Long Island or Florida. First, the recommendation is to read the companion book, and predecessor, Selected Letters: 1940 - 1956, before starting this one. Via his letters, you get the unvarnished versions of the later quasi-fictional accounts (and the legend aside, Kerouac's novels were quite polished in their own way - no syllable written by accident). KEROUAC LIVES.
These letters reflect a time when people - a great many people - got excited about poetry, literature, art and just being alive. A time before pseudo-intellectual-hip-irony made it impossible to get excited about anything. When all is said and done, however, the tragedy of Kerouac pales in comparison to his renowned love of life and his obsessive need to document the beauty (and ugliness) that surrounded him. Such was his self destructive path and, in reading these incredibly personal letters, one feels the end approaching as the America Kerouac immortalized dies a slow death, only to be reborn as an entity Kerouac is given partial credit for creating - a credit he had no interest in claiming.
Perhaps no person in literature experienced as many self-inflicted highs and lows as Jack Kerouac. At these times you notice Kerouac dropping lines to friends outlining why his new paradise has been destroyed and how perfect the next paradise is going to be. Both books are really two volumes of the same story.Those familiar with Kerouac's writing will recognize the characters, scenes and events from the letters as the basis for his groundbreaking novels. Many of these moves he actually followed through on only to find, in very short order, that his urge to wander had returned.
In addition, the ceaseless restlessness that gripped him his entire life has never been documented any better, or with more frustrating clarity, than in these letters. However, these letters (and the excellent non-intrusive editing/comments by Ann Charters) serve as the best biography (auto-biography) written about Kerouac (and I've read them all). He could go from the highest peaks to the deepest vallies from one letter to the next.
will be Doug Brinkley's.he has full access to archives,Sampas controlled estate,in Lowell, MA. The last,best bio on J.K. Ann did interview Jack & takes part in many literary forums."beat'.The last great living 'Beat' hipster is.L. Ferlinghetti.
her first volume contributed to a new understanding of Kerouac and his work: this volume also includes the same attention to notes and detail, furthering her goal of presenting his life via his writings. An excellent survey of the writer Jack Kerouac and recommended picks for any collection strong in Kerouac presentations. Ann Charters edits Jack Kerouac: Selected Letters 1957-1969 presenting his late letters.
It reveals the relationships that Jack had with the other Beat Poets among other people. This book reads real fast in that you can't put it down. I recommend this book to all interested in Kerouac and the Beat Generation. Good book. I knew that Jack had his problems later in his life but this book really shows that he got off track in the late 50's rather than the 60's.
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