Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84681 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Amazon.co.uk
As he roams the US, Mexico, Morocco, Paris and London, Jack Kerouac breathlessly records, in prose of pure poetry, the life of the road.

Standing on the engine of a train as it rushes past fields of prickly cactus; witnessing his first bullfight in Mexico while high on opium; catching up with the beat night-life in New York; burying himself in the snowcapped mountains of Northwest America; meditating on a sunlit roof in Tangiers; or falling in love with Montmartre and the huge white basilica of Sacré Couer--Kerouac reveals the endless diversity of human life and his own high-spirited philosophy of self-fulfilment.

"Piquant writing, the best part of its flavour being ... the hunt for the big experience, a touch of Hemingway and Whitman" --Guardian

"Full of startling and beautiful things ... one sees, hears and feels" --Sunday Times

Synopsis
As he roams the US, Mexico, Morocco, Paris and London, Kerouac records life on the road in prose of pure poetry. Standing on the engine of a train as it rushes past fields of prickly cactus; witnessing his first bullfight in Mexico while high on opium; meditating on a sunlit roof in Tangiers or falling in love with Montmartre - Kerouac reveals both the endless diversity of human life and his own particular philosophy of self-fulfillment.

Customer Reviews

A mere sample of his greater works
I read "Lonesome Traveler" straight after reading "On The Road". Of course it would be foolish to expect every book to be of equal merit but, I must tell you, this book isn't as good as it's famous brother. I felt some parts were extremely cumbersome- self-indulgent even. However, Kerouac is undoubtedly a talented writer, so many of the tales are superb. I especially recommend the mountain-top chapter which seems to tie in with another quality Kerouac work "Dharma Bums". In conclusion then, if you didn't enjoy "On the Road", don't read this. If you did however, and are willing to put up with a little trying reading, this book may just be your cup of tea.

Spontaneous prose, spontaneous living
Jack's not for everyone but reading Lonesome Traveler I was teleported right into his shoes-- if you're familiar with Kerouac you know this is his style. His "I" is the one you're with but this "I" is really experiencing every moment-- the minor details of being a train brakeman for instance-- doesn't sound glamorous but it breathes life. It's a bit claustrophobic and frusturasting with his page long sentences but if you forget all the rules of writing and literature you'll surf through a day with him and it's real even if his stories aren't.

A great Kerouac Sampler
Though it has been a while since I have read this book, I found it distressing that there were no reviews of it in this area. I know very many of you love Kerouac's works and styles, so I hope that this book will be given it's due attention. Its contents are five short stories or sketches that move around the central theme of travel. A sketch about the "railroad earth" written in spontaneous style is quite riveting, and here you will have a chance to read what seems to be an early sketch of the fire tower section from "Dharma Bums". I hope these suggestions will have you picking up a copy of this wonderful book.