Super interesting look at Kerouac's personal experience living in a fire watchtower in isolation, and how that affected his thinking and writing. I enjoyed hearing some of the writings and the journal entries, but I think maybe this one would be better read than listened to (the piecemeal nature of things can get a bit strange when trying to listen).

I enjoyed the narration but couldn’t really enjoy the story. Thanks for the review copy. I liked On The Road better.

So, this is a book I want to revisit once I’ve engaged further with Jack’s work. Admittedly, as someone who isn’t super familiar with his work or his life, I don’t feel like o was the target demographic for this. Similar works have been my in point for certain authors but this would likely be better enjoyed when I can feel like l’m discussing an author I like with a friend during the notes and analyses sections. I appreciate the editor’s effort in drawing conclusions about themes and timelines in Jack’s work. I also feel pretty resolute that this and his books are best read on paper or digitally. The narrator’s voice and intonation are totally fine but some content is just made better when perceived through ones internal voice if that’s accessible to them. So, while I didn’t love it, it had convinced me to put Kerouac’s books on hold at my library, and to revisit this after I’ve sat with those for a while.

Title disappeared from the shelves of my Netgalley app, so I can't listen to it. I have read almost all of Kerouac's writing plus tons of secondary lit on the Beat generation, so this is very unfortunate.

<b>Taking a Whack at Kerouac</b>

It was interesting but, admittedly, fairly rambly at times.

Some good writings, but also some fairly mundane ones as well.

My first exposure to Kerouac, and was happy to see what he was like, as so many authors I enjoy have referenced his writings.

Not entirely sure his writing is my type, but I am glad to have attempted and read this one!

3.0/5

In many of Jack Kerouac‘s books desolation has been a reoccurring theme and then desolation peaks we find out why. He was a voracious writer and his most productive time was the two months he spent being a fire watcher for the desolation peaks mountain range in Washington state. He placed a few of his books on desolation peak some darker than others but this is the only one that talks about him personally on top of the mountain alone, sober and bored. In this book we also get some short stories and like all the Jack Kerouac stories the pros are biting, deliberate and sometimes insightful but always entertaining. I have always loved Jack Kerouac‘s books and although this was written about him I still found it entertaining and totally loved reading his short stories and Pages out of his personal journals I hadn’t heard before another reading materials that I must’ve missed by the author. I highly recommend this book if you love the bohemian Jack Kerouac this is definitely a book you want to read I listen to the audio version and I absolutely love the narrator I wish I could remember his name but OMG he has such a great voice! I received this book from net galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the voice of the narrator and the content was interesting, however, this would have been much better if I read a physical copy. The inclusion of page numbers was jarring and took me out of the story a lot. Any speed above 2x speed lost words and did not work to understand the material. The chapters and sections started in the middle of the tracks. The inclusion of notes and comments by the narrator/author was also disruptive in listening to Kerouacs material.
I recommend this for a Kerouac fan and I do recommend reading a physical copy.

Unfortunately, the audiobook format didn't work for me, with the frequent interruptions mentioning the page numbers, etc. The flow of the journal seemed monotonous. It would be more interesting to read this book on paper, perhaps with the addition of photos. I still appreciate listening to Jack Kerouac's diary, a personal documentation of his time on Desolation Peak. This is essential reading for fans of Jack Kerouac.

Thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

I liked the narrator and thought he was good, but sometimes the sound was a little off. I think that, for fans of Jack Kerouac, the best way to enjoy this book would be to read it physically. I love audiobooks, but going from journal page to commentary and back was a little confusing, and I couldn't always keep track of what was happening. It can also feel a little arduous to hear things like lists of budgets and stuff Kerouac kept being read off. Again, for a fan of Kerouac, I think this book is great, and reading it physically is the best option.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to get early access to this book as I love Jack Kerouac’s writing. The narrator was great, but I didn’t feel this book was the best to put in audiobook format. As the journals are being read there’s disruption for journal page numbers which was distracting. I really enjoyed hearing his personal thoughts and stories while on Desolation Peak, as disjointed and disconnected to reality as they often were. I would definitely recommend to any other fellow Kerouac fans, as it gives insight to his thought processes.