“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
Jack Kerouac quote!
I love Kerouac he was such a phenomenal writer!
Me too. Had a big impact on me!
Funny… I’m reading On the Road right now.
Love this quote! Kerouac is one of my favorites, a great inspiration.
I’m glad to hear it. I hope you are enjoying it.
Me too. He started a ball rolling.
Wondering what, specifically, it is that you love about Kerouac.
Eleanor – so many things.
First there is that free-flowing stream of consciousness writing. Then there is this vitality, thirst for life. Then the description of a totally different lifestyle, a search for adventure, for pleasure and for an underlying meaning. It was such a contrast to the conforming mediocrity and drabness of mainstream culture. It bopped.
I’m going to keep your words in mind as I continue reading. Because I confess that I have found his style to be somewhat rambling and incoherent….like trying to follow a conversation with someone who is high. But maybe that’s the point, and I’ll appreciate it for that.
Eleanor – he did write in on Benzedrine – and I think the writing does have that speed and vitality to it. Its structure is the journey. Its cadence is Bebop jazz. You probably have to get into the rhythm of it and read it as it was written – fast – let it flow over you.
Great quote! Would you believe I have never heard of this man *hangs head in shame*
Good heavens Raili! He transformed writing! The whole beatnik thing was because of him. It was him.
Oh dear, I must have missed that. Will have to rectify the omission.
It’s never too late!
Reblogged this on lifesfinewhine and commented:
Love Jack Kerouac and this quote so much I had to share it with you guys!!
I like the quote. As someone who works on “treatment” for madness, I always feel like I am trying to help modern society not be so harsh on them. Never got too into Kerouac. I like Hemingway’s style better.
Tim – I like Hemingway too but there is something about Kerouac’s stream of consciousness that really is powerful for me. When he gets that jazz beat going it has so much pace and energy.