On the Road Audiobook By Jack Kerouac cover art

On the Road

50th Anniversary Edition

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On the Road

By: Jack Kerouac
Narrated by: Will Patton
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Few novels have had as profound an impact on American culture as On the Road. Pulsating with the rhythms of 1950s underground America, jazz, sex, illicit drugs, and the mystery and promise of the open road, Kerouac’s classic novel of freedom and longing defined what it meant to be “beat” and has inspired generations of writers, musicians, artists, poets, and seekers who cite their discovery of the book as the event that “set them free”. Based on Kerouac’s adventures with Neal Cassady, On the Road tells the story of two friends whose four cross-country road trips are a quest for meaning and true experience. Written with a mixture of sad-eyed naïveté and wild abandon, and imbued with Kerouac’s love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz, On the Road is the quintessential American vision of freedom and hope, a book that changed American literature and changed anyone who has ever picked it up. This edition commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the first publication of the novel in 1957 and will be a must-have for any literature lover.

©1955, 1957 John Sampas, Literary Representative, the Estate of Stella Sampas Kerouac (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Inspiring Suspenseful Scary

Featured Article: The top 100 classics of all time


Before we whipped out our old high school syllabi and dug deep into our libraries to start selecting contenders for this list, we first had to answer the question, "How do we define a classic?" The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess, though there’s a lot to be said for the old adage, "You know it when you see it" (or, in this case, hear it). Of course, most critically, each of our picks had to be fabulous in audio. So dust off your aspirational listening list—we have some amazing additions you don’t want to miss.

Featured Article The top 100 classics of all time
Beautiful Prose • Vivid Descriptions • Masterful Narration • Poetic Imagery • Gritty Reality • Cultural Significance

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Very thought-provoking. I found myself thinking about this book often while NOT listening to it and also mentioning it to friends. (always a sign of a good book!)

A wonderful picture of the age . . .

The narrator . . . simply incredible. A friend mentioned that they "couldn't get through it" and I think had they listened rather than read it, it would have made a difference. a really worthwhile use of a credit!

A True Classic

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Kerouac peers into the soul of America and captures a true snapshot of a mood and a movement that endured for the better part of a century. It is compelling, though not a pretty picture. It is unifying in its treatment of the American landscape and culture. Complex and tragic are the characters, which are brilliantly animated by the narration. The result is a powerfully endearing image despite its deeply flawed protagonists. I don’t know why I waited so long to pick up this title.

An Essential American Portrait

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What did you love best about On the Road?

Of course this is a classic, a "must read" -- but narrated by Will Patton, this version is a "Do Not Miss"!

What other book might you compare On the Road to and why?

No comparison to the book or the narrator...

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I guess this is a two-part question. At this point, I wouldn't have been able to "just read the book"; which is why I use Audible and other sources for recorded books.
So, with that said, Will Patton provides an amazing voice range and inflection, and an ability to convey many distinct characters and personalities in a believable way -- truly difficult to fully describe, but the best narrator I have heard in years of listening to recorded books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No -- better to enjoy it in segments

Any additional comments?

After listening to this book, I would listen to Will Patton read just about anything.

Will Patton is the greatest narrator!

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This story is classic! Love the characters. Will Patton gives them life! He added a whole new dimension to the story.

Great narration!

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I haven’t read many books like this, but I’m glad I did. Just the story of a few young men and women in the 1940s-50s. Living life to the fullest. Not without its transgressions and regrets, but none the less a magnificent tell of the rare American Author. Don’t get it twisted tho they some wild boys

Makes you think how life has changed

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My first Jack Kerouac book and first to hear Will Patton's amazing narration. WHAT a combo. Will be reading more of Kerouac, and am searching for other narrations from Will Patton. This NARRATION brings not only individual characters alive, but the complexity, variety, tempo and rhythms of each individual personality shine through. STUNNING.

NARRATION IS OUTSTANDING. STORY VIVID.

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Great story but the narration gets too exciting when he reads fur Dean. B plus

Narration gets annoying

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I love this story, the narrator, the way it made me laugh, smile and reflect on characters and friends I have known through the years. Listen and enjoy.

loved

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what a rant. grab life. live. don't miss a moment.

The narration was superb.

provides context for the Woodstock generation.

carpe diem

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Love this book and Read it years ago. Wanted to revisit with the audible version. I like to listen to relax and enjoy, but the constant raising of the voice and loud screaming I found just too enjoying to get thru. I returned it.

Great Book but annoying Narrator

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