Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Flamingo (1994), Edition: (Reissue), 208 pages
Description
Two ebullient young men are engaged in a passionate search for dharma, or truth. Their major adventure is the pursuit of the Zen way, which takes them climbing into the high Sierras to seek the lesson of solitude, a lesson that has a hard time surviving their forays into the pagan groves of San Francisco's Bohemia with its marathon wine-drinking bouts, poetry jam sessions, experiments in "yabyum," and similar nonascetic pastimes.
Media reviews
Børsen
I Dharma Bums jagter hovedpersonen og Kerouacs alter ego, Ray Smith, friheden i sandheden. Helten i ”Dharma Bums” er rykket naturen og Østens filosofi nærmere i søgen efter et liv, der hæver sig over den almindelig amerikansk konformisme og småborgerlighed. Det er denne turen på afveje,
Show More
der har gjort Jack Kerouac til helgen og hans bøger til bibler for ensomme ulve i alle aldre ... Med sin messende, prisning af det enkle liv – visdommen i en bjergskrænt, en skål varm suppe, det lægende i den kølige morgenbrise og så videre – er Dharma Bums en hyldest til et liv hævet over materielt begær. Ray Smiths fortællertone er lige så slentrende, tilbagelænet og lige ud ad landevejen som det trip, han er ude på. Værsgo! – beretningen om en drifters vej til sandheden, nøgternt registrerende og uden domme, præcis som buddhismen foreskriver. Det er fedt. Show Less
Weekendavisen
Arne Herløv Petersens oversættelse af Kerouacs prosa glider ubesværet fremad i lange glidende bevægelser.
DR Kulturnyt
Sproglig er romanen fantastisk og ikke til at sætte en finger på overhovedet, et sanseligt og detaljerigt sprog, der kun kan sammenlignes med de store forfattere, Dostojevskij, Hamsun og man kommer også til at tænke på H. C. Andersen i alle de her myldrende beskrivelser, hvor alt er levende og
Show More
hvor naturen i høj grad besynges og besjæles. Show Less
Information
Man kan glæde sig over, at Roskilde Bogcafé nu omsider har gjort dette hovedværk tilgængeligt for alle, der ønsker et indblik i beatgenerationens flirt med østlig filosofi.
Berlingske Tidende
Det er en stor og vigtig begivenhed, når det brave lille forlag Roskilde Bogcafé - med 42 års forsinkelse - udsender en af beatforfatteren Jack Kerouacs smukkeste, lettest tilgængelige og mest profetiske romaner på dansk ... Arne Herløv Petersen står bag denne fine fordanskning af Kerouacs
Show More
saftige naturlyrik, swingende sproglige flow, rundtossede zen-lommefilosofi og heftige metaforiske energi. Show Less
Aktuelt
Dharma Bums er og bliver en af de vigtigste og dermed også farligste bøger, jeg nogensinde har læst. Hvis man sammenligner den med andre, lignende bøger, så trækker Dharma Bums stadig det længste strå ... Dharma Bums er fuld turbo og 16 luftkølede ventiler. Den taler frit og frejdigt om de
Show More
store ting, som unge mennesker ofte gør, og dermed bliver den så umiddelbar og begejstret ... Bogen er en fremragende introduktion til beat-generationen med sin blanding af østlig filosofi og amerikansk anarki. Den kan læses uden forudsætninger, men med et åbent sind Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member dtn620
I didn't care for this book. In fact it was boring, pretentious and pseudo-mystical. Kerouac just writes what he did/experienced and the only audience it was intended for was himself. He sits in awe of Japhy, goes on about his enlightening experiences and natural beauty but fails to make it worth
Show More
reading. To sum the book up: Buddhism, Hitchhiking, train riding, hiking, I am better than you, hitchhiking, enlightenment via Hershey's bar, I do great shit and don't conform. Show Less
LibraryThing member ofstoneandice
Never before has a book made me want to climb a mountain.
LibraryThing member Lauralmoe
In this book Kerouac also utilizes the streasm of consciousness, bop style he pertfected in On the Road, but without Dean Moriarity and the energy of On The Road, this one fell flat.
LibraryThing member palaverofbirds
Now I want to quit my job and backpack across the U.S. for a year. Thanks, Kerouac.
LibraryThing member Robert_R._Mitchell
Rereading the Dharma Bums after probably a ten-year hiatus, I am struck by how foreign the beatniks seem to us today and how that impression must have been magnified tenfold for the Leave It To Beaver folks whom we are told ran the country back in the fifties. Then again Ray, Kerouac's protagonist,
It would do "the kids today" good to read this book. I'll wager at least half of them won't get past the poetic language with which Kerouac writes his alleged prose. For the texting generation, Kerouac might as well be Shakespeare. A quick read fails to fully appreciate the music in his words. Slow down and enjoy.
For those willing to embrace this new language, a world governed by thought, belief, emotion, experience, appreciation for nature and attention to basic human needs is unveiled; a world plunked down in the midst of the newborn consumer-driven American society governed by brands, advertising, the lure of "convenience," and the first hesitant salvos of pop culture. Kerouac's characters are as well-versed in Buddhism as the Middle America folks they meet are fluent in Christianity. For an introduction to American Zen Buddhism as it emerged in the beat culture of the fifties and early sixties, read Alan Watt's The Way of Zen and then read The Dharma Bums, looking up and studying every reference to Buddhism you don't understand. It's on my list of things to do, along with hiking to Desolation Peak. If you ever listened to the Doors and didn't understand why Jim Morrison sang "the West is the best," read The Dharma Bums and then Steinbeck's Cannery Row and you'll begin to see, if not agree. It wouldn't have broken my heart if the last half of the book had been devoted to Ray's two months on Desolation Peak instead of just the last ten pages, but his adventures hitch-hiking, sitting in his family's woods, sleeping beneath the stars and eucalyptus trees, and riding the rails on the Midnight Ghost are worth every page devoted to them.
Show More
hitchhiked back and forth across America and found a surprising degree of tolerance if not admiration from the people stopping to give him a ride. Maybe that's just the nature of people on the move or maybe America wasn't really 100% homogenous like the beats and the flower children who followed them claimed.It would do "the kids today" good to read this book. I'll wager at least half of them won't get past the poetic language with which Kerouac writes his alleged prose. For the texting generation, Kerouac might as well be Shakespeare. A quick read fails to fully appreciate the music in his words. Slow down and enjoy.
For those willing to embrace this new language, a world governed by thought, belief, emotion, experience, appreciation for nature and attention to basic human needs is unveiled; a world plunked down in the midst of the newborn consumer-driven American society governed by brands, advertising, the lure of "convenience," and the first hesitant salvos of pop culture. Kerouac's characters are as well-versed in Buddhism as the Middle America folks they meet are fluent in Christianity. For an introduction to American Zen Buddhism as it emerged in the beat culture of the fifties and early sixties, read Alan Watt's The Way of Zen and then read The Dharma Bums, looking up and studying every reference to Buddhism you don't understand. It's on my list of things to do, along with hiking to Desolation Peak. If you ever listened to the Doors and didn't understand why Jim Morrison sang "the West is the best," read The Dharma Bums and then Steinbeck's Cannery Row and you'll begin to see, if not agree. It wouldn't have broken my heart if the last half of the book had been devoted to Ray's two months on Desolation Peak instead of just the last ten pages, but his adventures hitch-hiking, sitting in his family's woods, sleeping beneath the stars and eucalyptus trees, and riding the rails on the Midnight Ghost are worth every page devoted to them.
Show Less
LibraryThing member 391
This is the first book of Kerouac's I've ever read, and I think I'm going to go out and pick up some of his poetry as soon as I can. He has so much joy and reverence for the world he lives in, and it's so moving to read his works and take a part in that profound delight.
LibraryThing member aalsgaard
The greatest idea of all is the exposition that life and the world around you remain up to your own personal interpretation. In The Dharma Bums, Kerouac relates a semi-autobiographical tale dealing with Buddha, Zen, and enlightenment. Told from a personal perspective, the story follows Ray Smith as
One of the most interesting aspects within the novel is the fact that different interpretations of Buddhism exist between the bhikkus (those who seek enlightenment). While Japhy expounds the vices of materialism, Ray simultaneously concentrates on worldly and self- awareness. The idea of a personally reflective state of mind is a rather beautiful idea—each and every person being able to believe in what they want. Of course, while the idea remains attractive it is rather unattainable and unrealistic on any level other than the personal. For, unlike Ray and Japhy, most humans are non-motivated to become open minded and full of acceptance.
Thoroughly enjoyable, this book opens your eyes to what life was like for the “hippie” generation in a way otherwise non-illuminated from stories and internet articles. The overall feel of peace and hope for humanity that existed during the sixties penetrates every page of the novel, ultimately leaving the reader with serenity and optimism for the human race.
On the other hand, Kerouac doesn’t fail to point out vices within humanity: materialism, overpopulation, and selfishness. Numerous times throughout the novel, Japhy goes on and on about the material mentality of humanity. On the other hand, Kerouac believes there is hope through empathy and consideration: “People have good hearts whether or not they live like Dharma Bums. Compassion is the heart of Buddhism” (105). While the response to materialism penetrates all aspects within the novel, the issue of overpopulation mainly resides within Ray who believes in abstaining from all sex because it only leads to strife for humanity. In effect, Ray blames humans for all strife on earth. Finally, Kerouac champions selflessness through the actions of Japhy, who gives to everyone he meets regardless of his own personal interests.
One feature of the novel I disapproved of was the support of liberal doses of alcohol. Japhy tries to get Ray to stop drinking, but after going to a Buddhist convention, he comes back drunk saying, “You were right! It doesn’t make any difference! We all got drunk and discussed prajna! It was great!” (151). The only time Ray isn’t drinking is when he goes hiking. Personally, I disapprove—while it is not bad to have a drink every once in a while, it can not be healthy to continuously swig down wine.
Overall, The Dharma Bums was an eye opening experience. Not only was I left with the idea that life is what you make it, but I was also instilled with a sense of adventure and want for worldly experience. I will definitely be reading more of Kerouac in the near future.
Show More
he searches for the meaning of life; ultimately deciding that life is what you make it.One of the most interesting aspects within the novel is the fact that different interpretations of Buddhism exist between the bhikkus (those who seek enlightenment). While Japhy expounds the vices of materialism, Ray simultaneously concentrates on worldly and self- awareness. The idea of a personally reflective state of mind is a rather beautiful idea—each and every person being able to believe in what they want. Of course, while the idea remains attractive it is rather unattainable and unrealistic on any level other than the personal. For, unlike Ray and Japhy, most humans are non-motivated to become open minded and full of acceptance.
Thoroughly enjoyable, this book opens your eyes to what life was like for the “hippie” generation in a way otherwise non-illuminated from stories and internet articles. The overall feel of peace and hope for humanity that existed during the sixties penetrates every page of the novel, ultimately leaving the reader with serenity and optimism for the human race.
On the other hand, Kerouac doesn’t fail to point out vices within humanity: materialism, overpopulation, and selfishness. Numerous times throughout the novel, Japhy goes on and on about the material mentality of humanity. On the other hand, Kerouac believes there is hope through empathy and consideration: “People have good hearts whether or not they live like Dharma Bums. Compassion is the heart of Buddhism” (105). While the response to materialism penetrates all aspects within the novel, the issue of overpopulation mainly resides within Ray who believes in abstaining from all sex because it only leads to strife for humanity. In effect, Ray blames humans for all strife on earth. Finally, Kerouac champions selflessness through the actions of Japhy, who gives to everyone he meets regardless of his own personal interests.
One feature of the novel I disapproved of was the support of liberal doses of alcohol. Japhy tries to get Ray to stop drinking, but after going to a Buddhist convention, he comes back drunk saying, “You were right! It doesn’t make any difference! We all got drunk and discussed prajna! It was great!” (151). The only time Ray isn’t drinking is when he goes hiking. Personally, I disapprove—while it is not bad to have a drink every once in a while, it can not be healthy to continuously swig down wine.
Overall, The Dharma Bums was an eye opening experience. Not only was I left with the idea that life is what you make it, but I was also instilled with a sense of adventure and want for worldly experience. I will definitely be reading more of Kerouac in the near future.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jscape2000
I never liked On the Road in the three ish times I read it or tried to read it. Pretentious, self-indulgent, boring.
I gave the audiobook of Dharma Bums a shot because it's free from the library, so why not?
Because it was everything that was terrible about On the Road, but with more faux Buddism.
I gave the audiobook of Dharma Bums a shot because it's free from the library, so why not?
Because it was everything that was terrible about On the Road, but with more faux Buddism.
LibraryThing member jculkin
Two lines in this book sum up Jack. In a vision near the end, he is told "You are empowered to remind people that they are utterly free". In the same paragraph he says to himself "Poor Jack, his day is so sorrowful and worried, his reasons are so ephemeral, it's such a haunted and pitiful thing to
The Dharma Bums is an utterly readable, and more honest account of Jack's time through life - less heady than On The Road, but still wild, and still stumbling, and still professing from the rooftops his mad half-rubbish and half-genius ramblings. I felt I got closer to his real thoughts in this. We meet another awesome hero of his (Gary Snyder), but this hero feels more real and likable.
On The Road shocked me to my very core at 17. It took some years before I found out Jack's whole life story ended trailed off so sadly - but for those years I held these mad heroes as statues in my head, and their wild enthusiasm for life seeped into my soul. Now at 24, On The Road seems a distant fantastic lovely dream, a little more hollow now, but still cherished. I wish I'd read the The Dharma bums at 21! That would have been just perfect timing. I think it was around then I decided that periodically giving into mad honest wild ecstasy to rejuvenate the soul wasn't going to work forever - I needed something mystical with which to combat the nothingness and emptiness unavoidable at the bottom of everything. So it turns out Jack must have gone through similar feelings, somewhere between On The Road and this. It's nice - but it's sad. I think I'll call it a day with Kerouac actually. I only see it going down from here.
- "I felt free and therefore I was free"
- "I saw that my life was a vast glowing page empty page and I could do anything I wanted."
- "Those who're good stay in Heaven, they've been in heaven the whole time"
- "...let the mind be-ware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious"
Show More
have to live". THERE - is the essence of Jack Kerouac.The Dharma Bums is an utterly readable, and more honest account of Jack's time through life - less heady than On The Road, but still wild, and still stumbling, and still professing from the rooftops his mad half-rubbish and half-genius ramblings. I felt I got closer to his real thoughts in this. We meet another awesome hero of his (Gary Snyder), but this hero feels more real and likable.
On The Road shocked me to my very core at 17. It took some years before I found out Jack's whole life story ended trailed off so sadly - but for those years I held these mad heroes as statues in my head, and their wild enthusiasm for life seeped into my soul. Now at 24, On The Road seems a distant fantastic lovely dream, a little more hollow now, but still cherished. I wish I'd read the The Dharma bums at 21! That would have been just perfect timing. I think it was around then I decided that periodically giving into mad honest wild ecstasy to rejuvenate the soul wasn't going to work forever - I needed something mystical with which to combat the nothingness and emptiness unavoidable at the bottom of everything. So it turns out Jack must have gone through similar feelings, somewhere between On The Road and this. It's nice - but it's sad. I think I'll call it a day with Kerouac actually. I only see it going down from here.
- "I felt free and therefore I was free"
- "I saw that my life was a vast glowing page empty page and I could do anything I wanted."
- "Those who're good stay in Heaven, they've been in heaven the whole time"
- "...let the mind be-ware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious"
Show Less
LibraryThing member phlll
At the risk of offending the "Beat Generation", I found this book to be quite a slog.
There's lots of talk of Buddhist principles, which is cool; and hitchhiking all over the place, which is also cool. There's free love, and some other naughty stuff.
While that sounds like a cool mix, I just found
There's lots of talk of Buddhist principles, which is cool; and hitchhiking all over the place, which is also cool. There's free love, and some other naughty stuff.
While that sounds like a cool mix, I just found
Show More
the book to be very boring. I didn't really *relate* with the protagonist in any way. Not my cup of tea. Show Less
LibraryThing member hippietrail
Well it's just not On the Road but then again, what is?
LibraryThing member tedmahsun
Likeable, but hard to read. I have a feeling that Spontaneous Prose is an acquired taste, like wasabi or sambal belacan. On the whole, it is an okay book. I liked Ray's hitch-hiking and freight hopping journeys across the US as well as his musings on life and people. But it's very unlikely I will
Show More
be reading this again any time soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
Where On the Road showed me the transient side of life, Dharma Bums took me on a spiritual journey. Kerouac had a love of Buddhism (see All the Dharma) but never really left his Catholic faith.
To this day I have a hard time being in the woods without thinking of the fire tower.
To this day I have a hard time being in the woods without thinking of the fire tower.
LibraryThing member gazzy
The Little Tramp finds religion. To me a more cohesive ramble than On the Road. Precursor (blueprint?) to whole hippie movement of the 1960's.
LibraryThing member Djupstrom
Another great sample out of the exceptional mind of Kerouac. Jack takes us on a trip that satisfies our need for fresh, cool dialogue and new experiences. Better than all the other Beat generation poet/writers.
LibraryThing member sadfootsign
One of the books that got me through high school. Such a profound sense of calmness in it
LibraryThing member ldallara
It's a good read... I'm enjoying it will add more later..
I've finished it, it's a wonderful book, I know because I'm sad, looking forward to reading "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac.
I've finished it, it's a wonderful book, I know because I'm sad, looking forward to reading "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac.
LibraryThing member hayesstw
My favourite Kerouac book, which I have read several times.
LibraryThing member momei
I had to read this book for a college course. For me it was hard to follow and boring.
LibraryThing member tjbotting
The overall theme I liked and there were a few redeeming chapters, but overall just too philosophical and too 60's for me. I had a hard time motivating myself to finish this book.
LibraryThing member melissathelibrarian
My favorite of all Kerouac's writings, this book is about friendship between men, family, and inner peace.
LibraryThing member princessponti
I love the poetry in Kerouacs writing, however as a novel, I found this difficult to get on with. I enjoyed his writing so much, however this conflicted for me with a story that I was searching for.
LibraryThing member NickFG
I see in the comments a complaint I've heard more often for "On the Road," -- that it's too meandering, no solid plot, difficult to follow, is he really driving across the country again? I argue that Dharma Bums is more linear (and thus perhaps easier to follow) than On the Road, and I encourage
Show More
folks not to take it as a traditional story in order to enjoy it most. Think of it more like a collection of short sketches with little provoking thoughts and beautiful lines thrown in. Yes, there is a story arc, but why I find this book so incredible, why I try to read it every year, is because I can open up to any old page, read any old line or two, and come away from it feeling misty-minded, slightly confused, slightly wiser, and inspired in some vague way that I can never quite describe. In this way it is almost like a book of Zen koans. Show Less
LibraryThing member ragwaine
Hippies wandering the US searching for the truth. Very cool, makes me wish I was born back then.
LibraryThing member k6gst
Good, but I'm more of a Gary Snyder fan than a Jack Kerouac fan.
Per Kim Stanley Robinson, the section about climbing the Sierra Matterhorn is some of the best Sierra writing. I agree.
Per Kim Stanley Robinson, the section about climbing the Sierra Matterhorn is some of the best Sierra writing. I agree.
Subjects
Awards
Original publication date
1958
ISBN
0586091580 / 9780586091586