The Town and the City

I don't care what anyone says, this book is epic.

Fantastic

There were certainly parts of it I enjoyed, but a good most of it was simply too preachy and annoying for my liking. The first third of the book was good, however, and I did like the ending in regards to the rest of the book. It was interesting to read and think about comparisons between this and On The Road, Dharma Bums, etc.

It's taking me longer than usual to get into this book but I'll read it because it's Jack Kerouac and I'm certain it will be a good read once I get into it.

Despite reading this many years ago, this novel has stood out in my mind as one of Kerouac's best. It's almost certainly his most underated as the author himself later disowned the lyrical Wolfean narrative style in which it was written. In many ways it is a far more pleasing read than his better known 'spontaneous prose' style of On The Road and his other later works. This story has a real charm...more

Despite reading this many years ago, this novel has stood out in my mind as one of Kerouac's best. It's almost certainly his most underated as the author himself later disowned the lyrical Wolfean narrative style in which it was written. In many ways it is a far more pleasing read than his better known 'spontaneous prose' style of On The Road and his other later works. This story has a real charm and beauty of its own, and brings to life the 1930s of Kerouac's childhood in New England.

Full of colour and sounds, rivers, woods, abandoned lots, mysterious back-alleys, steamy lunch counters, brooding brick factories, and the ever-present looming churches and cemeteries... This novel has a real feeling of depth of place and a true sense of the working class characters of depression era America which fill it. As a debut novel I think it clearly shows the literary class which Kerouac undoubtedly had, though possibly failed to broaden with some of his more disjointed later work. A rewarding read.

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if it were in any way acceptable, I would be familiar with myself to this books. Cannot say enough good things about kerouacs first offering. An absolute bridge from Ward Cleaver to beat mid-50's.

To me this is Jack's best book...and his only book that can still grab now that I've past through my "beat phase."

****

Maybe my favorite Kerouac, not written as an autobiography but i think we get a good look at Kerouac's origins. I would read it before "On the Road ". A great first novel.imo