A satori, in Kerouac's own words, is "the Japanese word for 'sudden illumination, ' 'sudden awakening, ' or simply 'kick in the eye.'"
This is a story of philosophy, identity, and the powerful grip of travel, written by an iconic American author at the height of his fame, after spending ten days in France searching for his French heritage.
Was the satori handed to him by a taxi driver, a waiter, a monsieur with a dazzlingly beautiful secretary, or while feeling fearful in the foggy streets at 3:00 a.m.? Or was it when hearing a requiem by Mozart in an old church, seeing trees in the Tuileries Garden, or while walking on a bridge over the River Seine?
The author experienced all that and more, often spending time in seedy bars and caught up in all-night conversations, as revealed in this work that shows the range and versatility of Kerouac's mature talent.
To Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac, "my search for this name in France" results in, according to his own words, "the tale that's told for no other reason but companionship, which is another (and my favorite) definition of literature."
About the Author :
Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) was an American novelist and poet who influenced generations of writers. He is recognized for his spontaneous prose style and for being a pioneer of the Beat Generation.
Andrew Eiden is an actor and winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award for narration. He has been acting since the age of four, working at regional theaters, in national commercials, and on numerous television shows.
Review :
"Kerouac's largely autobiographical novel tracing his travels through France at age forty-three takes its name from a Japanese word for 'sudden illumination.' First published two years before the Beat writer's death and newly reprinted, 'this book'll say, ' he tells his reader early on, 'in effect, have pity on us all.'"
-- "New York Times"
"A remarkable ear for the cadences of a phrase or sentence, a sense of how to register in words the sheer, sweet flow of things."
-- "The Guardian (London), praise for the author"
"Kerouac is an uncanny archetype for a whole generation of Americans who trekked through the '60s and '70s."
-- "New York Times, praise for the author"
