Any fans of Beat literature? Kerouac’s On the Road is one of my favourites of all time and really inspires a lot of my writing. Its good to read something that’s not difficult or pompous, yet still has a lot of substance to it.
I’m currently reading Dave Gorman’s America Unchained in which he’s trying to maintain the Beat ethic by travelling across the US without the use of chains (i.e. chain hotels, fastfood, gas stations). He comes across some interesting stuff like a hotel in the shape of a giant beagle!
Kerouac and Neal Cassady are the best. I haven’t read enough Bukowski and Burroughs but they’re sure major author too.
[quote=“cyber-lili”]
I haven’t read enough Bukowski and Burroughs but they’re sure major author too.
[/quote]
Haven’t read any of Bukowski’s prose but he’s one of my favourite poets. A cool link to some of his poetry:
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/ch … wski/poems”>Charles Bukowski Poems and Poetry</LINK_TEXT>
I think that Pee Wee Herman is the last living member of the “beat” generation.
[quote=“Kilgore Trout”]
I think that Pee Wee Herman is the last living member of the “beat” generation.
[/quote]
I don’t get it.
[quote=“FoxForceFive”]
I don’t get it.
[/quote]
PeeWee got caught jacking off in a porn theater.
I like Ginsberg and Kerouac.
Two words
Naked Lunch
[quote=“DomesticatedMatt”]
Two words
Naked Lunch
[/quote]
Yeah, I love it, its so trippy.
[quote=“Kilgore Trout”]
PeeWee got caught jacking off in a porn theater.
[/quote]
I got that part! Everyone jacks off (not always in porn theatres though) so I thought it was mean to single out PeeWee. Although, that guy did give me the creeps when I was a kid! The clown from IT and PeeWee Herman :-[
[quote=“DomesticatedMatt”]
Two words
Naked Lunch
[/quote]
Naked Lunch is my favourite book of all time. I’m a big fan of the beat generation and their writing has inspired my writing style probably more than anything else. Burroughs is definitely my favourite author though. Naked Lunch is a book that I can open up to any part and start reading. I’ll read parts of it over and over again and never get sick of it. It’s an amazing work.
Nothing related to the Beat Generation, but interesting for Burroughs fans. He said he’s been very inspired by John fante and especially by his book, Ask The Dusk, which I HIGHLY recommand to anyone who hasn’t read it yet.
some beat literature is on my to-read list for whenever it is i will read fiction again…
is there something recommended as a good intro book? i’ve read some ginsberg poems though…
Nice one Seb!
On the Road by Kerouac is the obvious first choice. Its pretty much Beat 101. Also check out Burroughs’ Naked Lunch, Junkie and Queer.
As you’ve done already, checking out the poetry would be a great way to ease yourself into it or you could also check out some of the short story collections e.g. Burroughs’ Interzone.
[quote=“FoxForceFive”]
Any fans of Beat literature? Kerouac’s On the Road is one of my favourites of all time and really inspires a lot of my writing. Its good to read something that’s not difficult or pompous, yet still has a lot of substance to it.
I’m currently reading Dave Gorman’s America Unchained in which he’s trying to maintain the Beat ethic by travelling across the US without the use of chains (i.e. chain hotels, fastfood, gas stations). He comes across some interesting stuff like a hotel in the shape of a giant beagle!
[/quote]
i have on the road now, i’ll start reading soon