Dharma Bums

I freakin love Dharma bums even though its frequently overshadowed by On the Road.
Does anyone else wanna share some love for this book?:sunny:

 

I thought Dharma Bums was Kerouac's best. I loved it so much I even emulated some of his experiences, like working in a lookout tower for the Forest service, hoping a freight train, and hitch hiking cross country many times. Right on man.

 

Thats wicked epic.:sunny:

 

It's the youth such as yourself that give me hope for the future. Rock on man!

Check this out ....
http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=476622&f=152

 

Very good book. I don't think it is better than on the road.

I think Big Sur is his best.

 

These books (The Dharma bums and On the road) are in my top 5 favorite books. But I don't think that they can really be compared to one another, because they are so extremely different, since Kerouac himself is changed in between writing them. In on the road he's very reckless, very dynamic and wild, jumping on every adventure life offers him, whilst in the Dharma bums (when he's already very, very deep into Buddhism) his writing is very mellow, a lot more enlightened and wise, and gives you a piece of calmness, unlike On the road, where it makes you wanna run, and dance, and sing, and scream. Still, both books are absolutely incredible!

 

Hello,

now we want to know what the other three books are .

Regards
Gyro

 

I'm a bum,
He's a bum
and
we're all bums
in three sequels

 

I haven't read it yet, but I have read On The Road. I really liked certain aspects of On The Road, such as the characters and some of the quotes, but I ultimately got bored by the lack of a strong plot. I'm just wondering why The Dharma Bums is better (in your opinion) because I might read it soon?

P.S. Maybe I should give On The Road another go because Charles Bukowski's books don't have a strong plot either, but I've been loving his work recently. :daisy:

 

Dharma Bums is "better" in that it's more of a synopsis of the beatnik strain that morphed into the west coast hippy scene. It's set primarily in northern California, and the characters are into living back to nature and buddhism. On the Road was more about the youthful, carefree penchant for traveling and gaining experiences. Dharma Bums basically served as a blueprint for the 60's hippy movement.