Freya's Nook: Jack's Book

If you've read any Kerouac, and enjoyed it, then you are sure to find this a fascinating read! Having only read only one of Jack Kerouac's novels - the most famous, 'On The Road' - I definitely wouldn't call myself an expert in his writing. But 'On The Road' definitely sparked enough interest in me that I wanted to know more about this unique author.

'Jack's Book' is really a collection of memories, stories, anecdotes and interviews, told by some of Kerouac's closest friends, some of his not-so-close friends and a few ex-lovers. These wonderful insights have been carefully put together to shape the life of this captivating personality, king of the 'Beat Generation'. Allen Ginsberg, one of Jack's friends to contribute a great deal to this book, has remarked 'My God, it's just like Rashomon - everybody lies and the truth comes out!'. Perhaps it was that remark which really sold me the book, and it is so interesting to see how during the book there are some conflicting interpretations of some events in Jack's life, but in the end, with all stories put together, we are left with only our own idea of what must have really happened. I think this is something wonderful.

One of my favourite quotes from 'On The Road', and one of the most famous of all of Jack's writing, is:

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”

This quote gave me so much inspiration, about how I want to live my life and the kind of person I want to be! When I read 'Jack's Book' I felt very strongly how the words in the above quote didn't just come from nowhere - they came from this person, Jack Kerouac, and I feel that they truly embody him. Through reading his friends' accounts of events in his life and the kind of person he was, I felt closer to him, and closer to the lifestyle of the Beat Generation.

I also wanted to add one more personal note - towards the end of Jack's life, and therefore also towards the end of 'Jack's Book'- we get some accounts of Jack creating Jazz Poetry. As I am a musician I immediately felt inspired to try this out. I have listened to all the albums I can find of Kerouac and Steve Allen making some amazing Jazz Poetry tracks (I can definitely recommend these albums, and they are easy to find online and on spotify!), and I am hoping to try it out for myself soon. There is something so awesome and alive about hearing the spoken word, improvising poetry about life/people/ideas, put together with an improvising musician. Will keep posted!