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thewondering1's review against another edition
4.0
I think if it had a reflection as to how she felt about these things all these years later it totally would have gotten five stars. Still a great read, though.
leggygrrl's review against another edition
4.0
“There are books that serve as mirrors in which one catches reflections of oneself”
mattbutreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
4.25
If history is written by the victors, here is the perspective a “lowly” commander under the giant name that is Jack Kerouac. Funny introspections, ultimately what we wish we could write about ourselves
halvy4's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed this one for it's more down to Earth portrayal of the Beats and their art scene, a more sober, reflective view on them rather than the mad-dashing craziness of their own work during the time period. Reveals the Kerouac that you see in his works beyond all of the bluster and ambitions, a man scared of his own desires, afraid to sit still for longer than a few days, never satisfied, never content, a sad man terrified to open himself up in any real way while still maintaining some of his magnetism, his appeal, and his zeal for life. Johnson does a good job portraying all of this and his impact on her without bitterness but with honesty and tenderness. Most prominently focused on Johnson and her own escape from the confines of 1950s womanhood and the home she found in the Beats/New York, even though she was marginalized artistically and treated differently because she was a woman. Overall, a good read for a fan of the Beats to get another perspective other than the main players or for someone interested in womanhood/women in the arts of the time period.
gilbertka's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book incredibly interesting and entertaining to read. Not only was it a look into the beat writers and characters as people instead of celebrities, it also gives us a glimpse into different social aspects and issues of the time period. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is being able to learn about Elise and the other figures some people may have never heard of otherwise. Learning more about the beat writers is why I initially picked up this book, but I finished it wanting to know more about everyone else and the issues discussed within.
thewondering1's review against another edition
4.0
I think if it had a reflection as to how she felt about these things all these years later it totally would have gotten five stars. Still a great read, though.
romigoletto's review
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Siempre escuché a mi papá decir que la palabra Beat viene de los Beatles. No es tan así, más allá de la popularidad de la banda, porque la palabra beat nació con Jack Kerouac, un escritor que la empleó para definir a una generación que quería romper las normas de una sociedad rígida y complaciente.
En los años cincuenta, Kerouac, Ginsberg y Burroughs eran furor por su rebeldía, hambre de aventuras, drogas y viajes. Escribiendo sobre ello y sacando novelas autoreferenciales, recorrían el país de costa a costa, permaneciendo poco tiempo en un solo lugar. Fama, en un mundo de hombres. Las chicas nunca fueron protagonistas.
Es acá donde Joyce Johnson entra en el juego, pero más de 25 años más tarde, contando su versión de los hechos. La generación beat desde la perspectiva femenina, las partes obviadas y los detalles de la vida de las mujeres que jamás fueron contadas, porque a fines de los cincuenta, nadie se fijaba en ellas seriamente.
En esta autobiografía, Joyce nos pasea por los conflictos de la época y las complicaciones de querer revelarse en un hogar de la clase alta de Nueva York, en el Upper West Side, con padres que esperaban de su hija una pianista clásica y no una escritora bohemia que abandona la universidad en busca de aventuras, conociendo gente nueva y cruzando caminos con Jack Kerouac.
Personajes secundarios ilumina una parte de la historia que permaneció oculta, en segundo plano. Joyce fue una observadora, en primera fila, de una era que marcó la cultura de los jóvenes en Estados Unidos, animando los road-trips y las relaciones esporádicas.
Nada es eterno, excepto las historias que nos llevamos con nosotros.
«Si el tiempo fuera un fragmento musical, uno podría tocarlo tantas veces como hiciera falta hasta que sonara bien».