Lu
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Posts: 5,469
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Post by Lu on Feb 23, 2012 16:07:03 GMT -5
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Here's a tentative schedule: Part 1 and Part 2: start discussion on March 1Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5: start discussion on March 8
I thought it better to divide the book into two discussion sections, this makes the first section of about 180 pages and the second one about 130 pages. Let me know what you think! EDIT: I've added Part 5.
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Lu
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Post by Lu on Mar 2, 2012 13:03:38 GMT -5
I really didn't have time to post yesterday and didn't even have much time to collect my thoughts on the novel, but I'll just start with the discussion. Part one relate the protagonist's first journey to the West, in Summer 1947, and Part two the second (shorter) one, in Winter 1948-1949. This is my second time reading On the Road, I read an italian translation in 2005, and so far I like the novel as much as the first time. The italian translation I read was really good but I'm so glad I'm finally reading it in English. Before starting, I thought I didn't remember much of the story but it turns out I do and as I go on reading I keep having the feeling I've been there before. The first time I just focused on the story and didn't think about the fact that's based on the author's real life. This time, instead, I'm paying more attention to the references, I keep wondering each character's real name and how much of the novel had actually happened. Speaking of references in On the Road, I found an interesting Wikipedia page yesterday: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/References_in_On_the_RoadFor me, the beginning of the novel and the way the author's introduce some of the characters, creates a lot of expectations and, after the first 2 chapters, I really can't wait for the protagonist Sal to start his journey and leave "the East".
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yara
First short story featured in regional newspaper
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Post by yara on Mar 3, 2012 12:21:54 GMT -5
i'll start today, but i absolutely have not time in this period :-(
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Lu
Administrator
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Post by Lu on Mar 8, 2012 2:26:45 GMT -5
i'll start today, but i absolutely have not time in this period :-( Don't worry, Hiara. You can post when you're ready. I've been very busy too and haven't finished part 3 yet.
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Post by lostinwonders on Apr 2, 2012 13:01:09 GMT -5
It is my first reading of On the Road. I've had some difficulties to get into the novel, actually. For the moment, I've read a bit more than 100 pages. I just feel like it is not the right time. I don't know if it happens to you sometimes but it happens all the time to me: I begin reading a book and I don't like it very much... Therefore, I decide to put it away for some tome and after a while, when I begin my reading again, I am amazed because I love it this time. I think I will do that with On the Road and I will wait for the right time to pursue my reading. But, meanwhile, I will share some reading thoughts Going on the road, living adventures... It seems totally amazing for me. I was wondering whether it was kind of a "American peculiarity" (I mean is it still an ideal for American Youth?) or it was a symbol of a generation (1950-60's)... For me, it would be impossible to live such an aventure today... Is it just me or is it just "our generation" (financial crises, ecological problems...)?
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Post by Hanna on Apr 23, 2012 2:18:41 GMT -5
I agree with you, Lostinwonders, it seems more difficult to live such an adventure today. For one thing travelling by road, hiking and stuff, has become more dangerous, (at least if you're a girl) and also things seem to be more regulated nowadays, in a way, it's like the world has lost some more of its innocence. That's probably a crappy way of saying it, but it's how i felt when reading On the Road and contemplating how it would be to do the same today.
My favorite part of the book was when they drove to Mexico though, it felt like, at least at times, Kerouac was reflecting more on what he saw, and I thought it was interesting to read.
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bearallen81
First poem written for Mother’s Day
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Post by bearallen81 on May 8, 2012 13:29:30 GMT -5
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