Maggie Cassidy by Jack Kerouac

I just finished reading (for the first time) Maggie Cassidy by Jack Kerouac. Considered one of the "Lowell novels"* because of its setting in Kerouac's Massachusetts hometown, and part of "The Duluoz Legend,"** Maggie Cassidy tells the story of the author's school days, focused around his on-again/off-again relationship with an Irish girl from the other side of the tracks. According to Dave Moore's Character Key to Kerouac's Duluoz Legend, here's a picture of the real-life Maggie, Mary Carney.

Typical of Kerouac, the prose is at times more something to experience than to comprehend, taking the reader on a wild ride (Jack's descriptive memories of Lowell are priceless) through adolescent angst over love, sex, sports, friendships, and figuring out one's passions as well as where to fit into the adult world to come. As Kerouac's biggest living fan, and someone enamored of Lowell, I admit bias when I say . . . I loved it.

I only wish my copy had the above cover . . . .



*Can you name all five?

**Kerouac's novels that comprise one vast book (like Proust) telling the story of his life.

Kristen Stewart digs new cut of On The Road

For what it's worth, Kristen Stewart says diehard Kerouac fans will appreciate the new cut of On The Road that is airing at the Toronto International Film Festival. She said it's "so true to the novel."

Click here for more.

Interesting article about On The Road in The Australian

Click here for an interesting article in The Australian about Jack Kerouac's On The Road making the big screen.

The Conservative Kerouac

True fans understand the paradox that was Jack Kerouac. On the one hand, he defined the Beat Generation with all of its nonconformity; on the other, he espoused quite conservative views (especially later in life). Click here to read an article titled The Conservative Kerouac in The American Conservative.

To give credit where credit is due, I learned about this on the excellent Facebook Jack Kerouac group page, which you can join by clicking here.

Happy reading . . . .

Cannes version of On The Road edited for TIFF

For one person's view of the changes made to the Cannes version of On The Road for its showing at TIFF, click here. I may have some inside scoop on how these edits evolved - stay tuned . . . .

Happy Birthday, On The Road!

Jack Kerouac's seminal novel, On The Road, was published this date in 1957. That same day, the New York Times published a glowing review (click here), and notoriety quickly followed Ti Jean for the rest of his short life.

Click here for a link to a past Daily Beat post on the subject.

Happy Birthday, On The Road!

Extended clip of Kristen Stewart dancing in On The Road

Click here for another new teaser from On The Road, an extended clip of Kristen Stewart (Marylou) dancing with Garrett Hedlund (Neal Cassady).