Jack Kerouac is among the most important and influential writers to emerge from mid-twentieth century America. Founder of the Beat Generation literary movement, Kerouac's most famous novel, On the Road, was known as the bible of this generation, and inspired untold people to question the rigid social and cultural expectations of 1950s America. And yet despite its undeniable influence, On the Road is only a small piece of Kerouac's literary achievement, and there are now well over forty Kerouac books published. The centerpiece to this work is Kerouac's multi-volume Duluoz Legend, named for his fictional alter-ego, Jack Duluoz, and comprising numerous books written over decades that together tell the story of Duluoz's life and times. This volume offers fresh perspectives on his multifaceted body of work, ranging from detailed analyses of his most significant books to wide-angle perspectives that place Kerouac in key literary, theoretical, and cultural contexts.

‘Steven Belleto's collection is an indispensable contribution to the ever-growing field of Beat studies and a useful addition to American studies in general … Highly recommended.’

B. Almon Source: Choice

‘This Companion is a cornucopia of current, high-quality scholarship on this important writer. … Yet however much the book will fascinate Kerouac specialists, its value is not limited to niche studies of Kerouac and Beat literature. It also connects, albeit largely implicitly, to many broader issues across literary studies, including archival studies, sound studies, the nature of authorship, and postcritique. Aside from its diversity of themes and rich analysis, it is especially impressive for its organically meaningful arrangement, detailed archival work, and its explorations of troubling and ambivalent aspects of Kerouac’s life and works.’

Kyle Garton-Gundling Source: American Literary History