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A blog on writing, writers and why we read. Posted most mornings by Marion Blackburn. www.marionblackburn.net |
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The Mythical Scroll  Today's post takes us back to where it began, to the mythical scroll.
The 120-foot long manuscript of "On the Road," completed in April 1951, published in 1957. Its success changed the life of Jack Kerouac forever and in some ways, took away the very freedoms and spontaneous road life he loved so much. No longer could he migrate around the country and to Mexico without recognition. Nowhere is this longing so beautifully described as in the Big Glorious Trip to Europe, described in Lonesome Traveler.
Other of his works that command reading are Big Sur, which to my mind captures the beginning of the dark end days, when he contends with and ultimately loses the struggle with his own nature, out of control; and also Satori in Paris, written in 1966 just before his death. It takes Kerouac to the places he considers his origins in France, and gives a last glimpse of the soul-searching brilliance that distinguishes his writing.
Today's entry ends with that famous quote from "On the Road," words that have not lost their force, even after five decades.
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 center-light pop, and everybody goes ahh....
For a larger view of this manuscript page click here
ABOVE: Jack Kerouac. Private Ms. of Gone on the Road. Title page of an early version of On the Road, August–September 16, 1950. New York Public Library, Berg Collection, Jack Kerouac Archive. Reproduced courtesy of John G. Sampas, legal representative of the estates of Jack and Stella Kerouac.
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