On the Road has been recommended to me more than once, both by friends and by algorithms, likely thanks to my fondness for Steinbeck. And while I can see the overlap, I still prefer Steinbeck’s style. That said, this is a good story. It’s well written and, for the most part, engaging.
At the time, I felt the final sections lost some of the energy and focus that carried the earlier parts. I remember thinking I’d have been more satisfied if I’d stopped at the end of part four or five. But I’m glad I saw it through, as some loose threads do get tied up, and it lingers differently in hindsight.
What’s grown on me since is how the story constantly shifts pace, especially when Dean Moriarty takes centre stage. Kerouac doesn’t just describe chaos; he makes you feel it. That momentum, that breathless rhythm, becomes part of the experience. So while my initial reaction was mixed, I’ve come to appreciate its craft more over time.
If you like road trip stories, it’s worth reading. Even if parts lose you, others might pull you right back in.