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The Dharma Bums

By: Jack Kerouac
Narrated by: Allen Ginsberg
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Publisher's Summary

Two friends in 1950s San Francisco Bohemia explore Buddhism Zen - hipster style. On the road to finding Dharma, or truth, the story's narrator, Raymond Smith comes to a spiritual roadblock. Smith, based on Kerouac himself, discovers a role model in his friend Japhy Ryder, modeled after the real poet-Buddhist Gary Snyder. This autobiographical novel is one of Kerouac's most popular, and has served as an inspiration to the beat culture, hippies, and dharma seekers since the 1950s. This program is narrated by legendary poet Allen Ginsberg, a friend of Kerouac's and an early fan of his work.
Recording (P)1991 by Audio Literature; ©1958 by Jack Kerouac
Classics Biographical Fiction Literary Fiction
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What listeners say about The Dharma Bums

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Beware of Ginsberg!

This isnt my favourite of Jack's work, but fans will know what their in for and it provides plenty of his poetic ramblings. I have found myself drinking more green tea after finishing this.

When I saw this was narrated by Ginsberg I was really excited, but I feel though he obviously gets Jack, and the work better than anyone, the recording quality and reading itself was detrimental. I had to fuck with eq settings to be able to listen to this properly , and often the Ginsberg accent and accents of syllables got a little too much.

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Blessed

Beautiful privilege to have his kindred soul read to us capturing the essence perfectly

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Vintage Kerouac - descriptive and entertaining

Jack Kerouac's running narrataive style of writing can be hard to follow at first, but once you get used to it, it flows easily.
He has a whimsical way of describing things as they happen, and a charming look at life. The description of his few months spent as a lookout on Mt Desolation was a highlight for me.. it really brought the experience to life with all the tedium, occasional deprivation and moments of great joy.

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Can't hear it

The audio may as well have been recorded in a microwave while the narrator screamed the words from outside. Pretty annoyed as I can't register anything in the car.

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1 person found this helpful

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