Kerouac, the word and the way
Subtitle: prose artist as spiritual quester
By: Ben Giamo.
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Carbondale
Language: eng
Number of pages: 246
Subjects: Kerouac, Jack, 1922-1969 -- Criticism and interpretation.; Autobiographical fiction, American -- History and criticism.; Quests (Expeditions) in literature.; Beat generation in literature.; Spiritual life in literature.
Description: "Giamo's main purpose is to chronicle and clarify Kerouac's various spiritual quests through close examinations of the novels. Kerouac began his quest with On the Road, which also is Giamo's real starting point. To establish early themes, spiritual struggles, and stylistic shifts, however, Giamo begins with the first novel, The Town and the City, and ends with Big Sur, the final turning point in Kernouac's quest.".

"Kerouac was primarily a religious writer bent on testing and celebrating the profane depths and transcendent heights of experience and reporting both truly. Baptized and buried a Catholic, he was also heavily influenced by Buddhism, especially from 1954 until 1957 when he integrated traditional Eastern belief into several novels. Catholicism remained an essential force in his writing, but his study of Buddhism was serious and not solely in the service of his literary art."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 231-237) and index.