2006-07-17 14:00:33 · 7 answers · asked by why do i? 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
please explain why?
2006-07-17 14:01:08 · update #1
In terms of importance to American literature, I'd have to say Jack Kerouac is my favorite. On the Road is a classic journey novel, dealing with the search for the father and the inability to go "all the way" and escape completely from civilization or society.
However, after On the Road, only Visions of Gerard and possibly parts of Dharma Bums are really worth reading. Kerouac took WAY too many drugs, and never managed to reach the beauty o fhis earlier work.
In terms of the most influential, I like Ginsberg the best. He has the better body of work (Howl, Supermarket in California, America), and plays directly off the poetic tradition stemming from Whitman. And his poetry is simply beautiful all the way through, whereas Kerouac only manages fleeting moments of beauty.
I also think that Gary Snyder is vastly underrated. His collection Mountains and Rivers without End ought to be studied more often.
2006-07-17 14:06:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
William Boroughs was a god to me when I was a teenager. The first time I watched Naked Lunch I couldn't believe that someone could create a world like that. So I quickly read his books. I wish I still had some of those books.
2006-07-17 14:04:29 · answer #2 · answered by cancerman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kerouac is my favorite because he really just carries me away; I get so involved with his writing. Cassady is interesting as well although there's always a weird underlying psychological element for me when I read him. Burroughs makes me insane.
2006-07-17 14:07:16 · answer #3 · answered by carebear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Richard Brautigan. I found him to be very entertaining, back when I was in college. It seemed that his writing could be compared to tourette's where thoughts, however weird or nonsensical, continually pour out.
2006-07-17 14:09:24 · answer #4 · answered by beadtheway 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hunter S. Thompson
Because he knew that the depredation of the "american dream" never really even existed.
2006-07-17 14:14:40 · answer #5 · answered by Angel E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ginsberg
Howl and all that is very cool.
Everything the man has written makes good sense to me.
2006-07-17 14:04:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
None, sorry.
2006-07-17 14:03:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋