On the Road
First published AD 1957, written in English
On the Road is a 1957 novel by American author Jack Kerouac, inspired by his travels across the United States. It is widely regarded as a defining work of the postwar Beat Generation, following a group of friends living for the moment against a backdrop of jazz, poetry, and rebellion.
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Your reading
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Where it is set
- Los Angeles
United States
Soon he meets Terry, whom he described as a cute Mexican girl, on the bus to Los Angeles. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Long Island
United States
From Detroit they share a ride to New York and arrive at Sal's aunt's new flat on Long Island. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Paterson
United States
In July 1947, he sets off from his aunt's house in Paterson, New Jersey, with $50 (equivalent to $670 in 2025) in his pocket. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Bakersfield
United States
They stay together, traveling back to Bakersfield, then to Sabinal Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Pittsburgh
United States
Leaving Terry behind, he takes a bus back east to Pittsburgh, and then hitchhikes his way to Times Square in New York City. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Times Square
United States
Leaving Terry behind, he takes a bus back east to Pittsburgh, and then hitchhikes his way to Times Square in New York City. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- New Orleans
United States
In Dean's Hudson, they depart from New York in January 1949 and make it to New Orleans. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Chicago
United States
They get a 1947 Cadillac that needs to be taken to Chicago from a travel bureau. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Detroit
United States
By bus, they move on to Detroit and spend a night on Skid Row, Dean hoping to find his homeless father. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Cincinnati
United States
By bus, Sal takes to the road again, passing Washington, D.C., Ashland, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, and eventually reaching Denver. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- St. Louis
United States
By bus, Sal takes to the road again, passing Washington, D.C., Ashland, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, and eventually reaching Denver. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
- Laredo
United States
In a rickety '37 Ford sedan the three set off across Texas to Laredo, where they cross the border. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
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The author’s life
On these lists
- Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century, number 67
- The Guardian: The 100 best novels (Robert McCrum), number 77
- Modern Library 100 Best Novels, number 55
- BBC The Big Read, number 90