THE DAILY BEAT: Reading Kerouac aloud

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Reading Kerouac aloud

If you want to experience Jack Kerouac fully, you must read his work aloud. My friend, Richard Marsh, and I just read Visions of Gerard aloud cover-to-cover - taking turns - over the last couple of days (he is visiting from Massachusetts). We agreed that we got more out of it than from any previous (silent, individual) readings (Richard has read VOG dozens of times).

If you can, try reading Kerouac aloud. It's fine to do it solo, but it's more fun with a friend. If you have such a friend to read aloud with, count your blessings. I do. Thanks, Richard!

Richard Marsh (L) and Rick Dale (R) reading Visions of Gerard aloud

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: It was indeed a great read Rick, and I look forward to doing it again.
Kerouac's novels are so complex that it is wonderful to realize new motifs and themes when read and perceived from a different angle, as well as to hear previously unheard rhythms and cadences that seem to flow naturally when read aloud.
It's like Kerouac through a prism.

Richard Marsh; January 13, 2016 at 7:24 AM

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Reviews of The Beat Handbook

Gerald Nicosia, author of the acclaimed Kerouac biography Memory Babe, said The Beat Handbook is "full of Jack's heart."

Jared Randall, author of the excellent book of poetry, Apocryphal Road Code, said this about The Beat Handbook: "Sometimes a book comes along at just the right time. In my wandering pack of experiences, I find they often do. Enter The Beat Handbook by Rick Dale."

Kenneth Morris, Kerouacian extraordinaire, said this:
"I just finished reading Rick Dale's beautiful utterance and call to action of Kerouac mind-set and zen sensibilities. It made me laugh and reflect on my own life and road I have naturally grooved into after absorbing the Kerouac canon. The road less traveled always had my name on it. And that has made all the difference. The Beat Handbook 100 Days of Kerouactions reaffirms the attitudes and ideology that made the Beats and Kerouac the important men of ideas that America (and the world) thirsted for, needed, and swallowed whole. Beautiful, absorbing, Top Ten whipsmart from my articulate, tender-hearted friend and fellow traveler. Highly recommended."