RIP, Jan Kerouac

Jack Kerouac's only child, Jan Kerouac, died this date in 1996 at the age of 44. If you haven't checked out her writing, please do so. The acorn didn't fall far from the tree in that regard. I recommend both her completed novels, Baby Driver and Trainsong. Excerpts of her unfinished novel, Parrot Fever, are also available (at a price).

There's no complete biography of Jan yet, but one may be in the works. In the meantime, you can read Jan Kerouac: A Life in Memory, a collection of memoirs, photos, and an interview (edited by Gerald Nicosia).

RIP, Jan. You led a colorful life and definitely lived a lot in your time. I wish we could have met (from what I know, I suspect I may have had a little crush).

Happy Birthday, Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg would have been 88 years old today. Click here for last year's birthday greeting and links to his poem, Howl.

In my head, this is how I picture Allen. I don't know why. There are lots of younger and older images out there to choose from.

Ginsberg at Kerouac's funeral
Photo by Jeff Albertson

Happy Birthday to an original American poet.