The Dharma Bums (Penguin Modern Classics)

Book Details

• Publisher: Penguin

• Author: Jack Kerouac

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9780141184883

• Pages: 240

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches

About the Book

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac is a witty and deeply philosophical novel that explores the journey of self-discovery through the lens of Zen Buddhism. A follow-up to Kerouac's explosive On the Road, which helped define the Beat Generation, this novel takes readers on a spiritual quest with Ray Smith, his friend Japhy, and their eccentric companion Morley, as they venture into the high Sierras in search of truth, or Dharma.

Kerouac’s characters seek the lessons of solitude and the Zen way of life, yet their journey is juxtaposed with the wild bohemian energy of San Francisco, where poetry jams, drinking bouts, and ‘yabyum’ experiments make the ascetic path much harder to follow. Through this journey, Kerouac examines the tension between personal freedom and spiritual discipline, all while capturing the restlessness and youthful energy of the Beat movement.

This Penguin Modern Classics edition includes an introduction by Ann Douglas, offering additional insight into the novel's themes and Kerouac's unique place in American literature. Written with the raw, spontaneous style that made Kerouac famous, The Dharma Bums is both a philosophical exploration and an exhilarating read, making it a must-read for fans of Kerouac’s work and those interested in the Beat Generation’s quest for meaning.