Becoming Kerouac: A Writer in His Time

Jack Kerouac was a 20th-century American writer known for his troubled life and work. Paul Maher Jr. explores Kerouac's self-destructive insight, how it shaped his autobiographical prose and poetry, and how it united thoughts on the human condition and spiritual liberation. Becoming Kerouac: A Writer In His Time focuses on Kerouac's critical formative years, demonstrating his growth as a novelist and poet. Maher contends that Kerouac developed his singular language to capture human consciousness and that his life struggles revealed deeper resonances in his work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Jack Kerouac, a prominent writer of the latter half of the 20th century in America, faced a life marked by enduring hardships and disillusionment. Leading Kerouac scholar Paul Maher Jr. delves into the writer's troubled perception of self as a central aspect of his life and work. He unveils how Kerouac's fraught relationships with alcohol, drugs, and spirituality deeply influenced his autobiographical prose and poetry, giving rise to a unique language that resonated with thoughts on the human condition and spiritual liberation. In his book, Becoming Kerouac: A Writer in His Time, Maher offers a fresh perspective on Kerouac's life and art, providing readers with a rich understanding of this 20th-century literary genius.

Becoming Kerouac employs unpublished archival material to focus on the critical formative years from 1940 to 1957, showcasing Kerouac's growth as a novelist and poet. Maher argues that Kerouac developed his distinctive language to capture human consciousness in a way never before attempted. His struggles propelled American literature to reflect the restless post-World War II anxieties of the time. Biographers have long endeavored to portray Kerouac's complexity and the contradictions that shaped his decisions and relationships. However, without considering the writing, the troubles in life fail to reveal their deeper resonances by skillfully analyzing the work while tracing the events. Maher achieves a comprehensive portrait, revealing the struggles that complicate his work.

Becoming Kerouac seamlessly fuses Kerouac's life and art to provide a deeper comprehension of this misunderstood literary genius. Through meticulous research and analysis, Maher sheds light on the complexities of Kerouac's life, offering a fresh perspective on his artistic achievements. This book is a valuable contribution to Kerouac studies, providing a deeper understanding of one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 163 x 237 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781589796874