Vanity of Duluoz: An Adventurous Education, 1935-46

I will more than likely own Kerouac’s complete library. Next to Raoul Duke, he’s probably my favorite writer.

Kerouac was obviously influenced by Thomas Wolfe a great deal. And this influence had a great impact on Kerouac's style and method. Even so, he found his own path and own way of telling a story. Kerouac's stories largely mimic conflict within his own life, and therefore, reading a story by Kerouac is to read a story of Kerouac. I feel this is what has appealed to me most...that I'm not receiving a story about a fantasy world, but a autobiography about a real person with real struggles. Written in the style of On the Road and Dharma Bums, the Vanity of Duluoz is a must read...

For all intents and purposes this is Kerouac's last real novel. With great fondness and honesty, he goes over a lot of the same themes and events as in his earlier works, but now he's tired, not feeling the need to prove anything and just barely holding on to hopes that things ever get better. This is a sincere, lovely, heartbreaking and haunting book of reflections at the end of a pained but adventurous life.

No, this isn't just for fanatics! If you want a history of good ol' Jack, then yes, it is just for fanatics. However, if you just want an exciting adventure, it's for anyone. This book has got something for everybody, seriously. It has crime, "romance", adventure on the high seas, everything and more.... and then there's always sport (now there's an obscure M. Python reference! Good thing it fits(:) Anyway, this book is a clasic, no matter what stuffy old lit scholars say. One of my favourite quotes comes from this one: "Insofar as nobody loves my dashes anyway, I'll use regular punctuation for the new illiterate generation." What's my favourite Jack quote? "Holy suffering cows!", that's what (:

This novel is a must-read for Kerouac fanatics, as it both illuminates the youthful source of his 1950s spirit and also highlights his unfortunate disenchantment with the 1960s. Reading his passion for life, for writing, for learning, for being is an inspiration to behold. Those who have not yet entered the frothy murk of Kerouac's splendid writing would be advised to start elsewhere; those who love Jean-Louise should jump on in.

"Where is he? Where am I? Where are you?" The forlorn words of a reminiscing soul. Vanity of Dulouz is a novel of reflection, tragedy, remorse, and the passing of time that not only gives insight into the perception of Jack Kerouac (legendary writer of On the Road) and his views on his youth but insight of the wisdom gained in age. A humorous and melancholy novel that transcends the boundaries of law and country into the realm of humanity and what it means to be human