Other Writings by Kerouac

Other Writings by Kerouac

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Kerouac, Jack. Atop an Underwood: Early Stories and Other Writings . Paul Marion, ed. New York: Viking, 1999.

This collection of early prose, poetry, and fictional extracts by Kerouac explores a part of the writer's literary development that had never before been published and available. Organized chronologically, it reveals what Kerouac was interested in between the ages of 13 and 21, and how he chose to write about it. These immature works do not herald the future Beat Generation but give an overview, with the editor's commentary and quotes from an older Kerouac, of how one young man learned to write.

Kerouac, Jack. The Portable Jack Kerouac . New York: Viking, 1995.

These excerpts from the novels that make up Legend of Duluoz are arranged chronologically as we follow the protagonist from childhood (Visions of Gerard) to teenager (Maggie Cassidy) to young man (Vanity of Duluoz and On the Road) to road-weary traveler ( Visions of Cody and Tristessa) to seeker of truth ( Dharma Bums and Desolation Angels) to maturity (Big Sur).

Kerouac, Jack. Selected Letters , 1940-1956. Ann Charters, ed. New York: Viking, 1995.

The letters in this thoughtful collection begin in the year that Kerouac entered college and end in the year before the success of On the Road. Written to key members of the Beat movement, friends, and family, the correspondence represents a valuable group of literary artifacts. The letters give insight into Kerouac's relationships with their recipients, chronicle the development of his writing skills, and testify to his seemingly boundless wish to express himself. To connect any historical gaps, the editor provides helpful commentary and includes a few of the letters that Kerouac received back from his correspondents.

Kerouac, Jack. Selected Letters, 1957-1969 . Ann Charters, ed. New York: Viking, 1999.

In this second volume of letters edited by Charters, the correspondence begins at the point that On the Road has been published and continues up until two days before Kerouac's death. Through these letters to friends and family, there is poignant documentation of the writer's changing state of mind — from enjoying fame, to seeking seclusion, and eventually stumbling toward his tragic end. Of special local interest are the letters written during the period when Kerouac lived in Northport, New York. The editor chooses well from amidst Kerouac's voluminous correspondence, and her insightful commentary completes any historical information that is not clear.

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