JOURNAL ARTICLE

Scrolling Through: Jack Kerouac, Malcolm Cowley, and the difficult birth of On the Road.

  • Published In: American Scholar, 2025, v. 94, n. 4. P. 92 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: HOWARD, GERALD 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the complex and lengthy journey of Jack Kerouac's novel *On the Road* from conception to publication. It details how Kerouac began drafting the novel in 1951, using a continuous scroll of paper, and highlights the myth surrounding its spontaneous creation, which overlooks the years of preparation and revision that preceded it. The narrative also explores the role of Malcolm Cowley, a literary critic and editor, who championed the book despite initial rejections from various publishers due to its controversial content and potential legal issues. Ultimately, *On the Road* was published in 1957, receiving mixed reviews but becoming a significant cultural touchstone that resonated with the Beat Generation and beyond. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:American Scholar. 2025/10, Vol. 94, Issue 4, p92
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0003-0937
  • Accession Number:187423116
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