JACK'S BOOK An Oral Biography of Jack Kerouac

This classic oral biography of Jack Kerouac, the most well known of the Beat Poets, was originally published in 1978. This edition includes a new introductory essay by the surviving author Gifford, which provides additional insights into the subject and the authors’ methods of research. Through interviews with Kerouac’s famous and infamous friends and lovers, this patchwork quilt explores a life at home and on the road. Mauro Hantman’s narration is not well suited to this oral history. His calm, cultured voice offers essentially no characterization, a style that makes for a nondescript audiobook. Varied voices would have helped the listener better understand and recognize such luminaries as Gore Vidal, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs. This is an enlightening work that simply does not engage. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2012]