Based around a metaphysical exploration for absolute truth,
or Zen ‘Dharma’, Kerouacs’ highly spiritual
work is written
in his trademark,
self-coined ‘Spontaneous Prose’. It
follows Ray Smith, apparently a fictitious guise of the writer himself, and one
Japhy Ryder (an equivalent to On the Roads’ Dean Moriarty), as well as various
other characters, as they struggle to maintain a strict perseverance in keeping
to their path to enlightenment.
It could prove difficult reading to those not yet accustomed
to Kerouacs’ wild and unabridged style of writing, however, the sheer beauty of
the content should be enough to keep most readers’ attention.
Each character is intriguing, and the rapturous dialogue and
spirit is breathtakingly enticing.
This book has all the makings of a classic ‘Beat’
work, and is everything that one comes to expect from one of the most talented writers
ever to grace a pen and paper.