3.5 stars

The initial installment of Jack Kerouac's "Duluoz Legend" provides a concise look into the short life of his elder brother, Gerard. Gerard's passing at the tender age of nine was a profound loss for Jack.

Jack regarded Gerard as a saint, and this perspective is evident throughout his writing as he grapples with death, life, existence, and meaning. He contends that the wisdom Gerard imparted to him can also be gleaned from the wisdom passed down through the ages.

It features the anticipated Kerouacian flourishes, yet it predominantly showcases his young childhood rather than the free-spirited characters of his later works. A significant portion of the book is touching, an aspect of Kerouac's writing that I believe is often overlooked.

I have the intention of reading through the "Duluoz Legend" books in sequence, despite having already read several of them. This will allow me to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Kerouac's exploration of his life and the themes that贯穿 his work.

One of the saddest books I've read is truly a heart-wrenching experience.

It takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, filled with pain, loss, and despair.

The story unfolds in a way that makes you feel deeply connected to the characters, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

As you turn the pages, you can't help but be moved by the powerful emotions that are vividly described.

The author's writing style is so engaging that it draws you in from the very beginning and keeps you hooked until the end.

The sad events and the tragic fates of the characters leave a lasting impression on your mind, making it a book that you won't soon forget.

It makes you reflect on the fragility of life and the importance of珍惜 every moment.

Despite its sadness, however, the book also offers a glimmer of hope, showing that even in the darkest of times, there is still the possibility of finding light and love.

Overall, it is a remarkable piece of literature that touches the heart and soul.

In this poignant reflection,

Jack Kerouac delves deep into the ethereal and the earthly with his novel "Visions of Gerard." This work is drawn from the brief but impactful life of his brother, Gerard, who tragically passed away at just nine years old.

Kerouac's prose, which is both lyrical and often beatific, endeavors to capture the very essence of Gerard's existence. Gerard's life seems to hover delicately between sainthood and the simple joys of childhood in the working-class neighborhoods of Lowell, Massachusetts. The narrative gracefully oscillates between memory and a kind of spiritual vision. Here, Gerard's life, although short, is vividly portrayed with a depth that implies a profound influence on those around him, especially the young Jack.

The style is unmistakably Kerouac's. His long, rolling sentences mimic the natural flow of thought and memory, and are imbued with a palpable sense of loss and longing. The book's strength lies precisely in its emotional authenticity. It grapples with the ineffable nature of love, grief, and the sacred in the ordinary fabric of everyday life. However, this very strength can also be its Achilles' heel. At times, the narrative feels mired in its own introspection, with the repetitive themes occasionally overshadowing the narrative drive.

"Visions of Gerard" isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of book. Those who appreciate the Beat Generation's exploration of the spiritual side by side with the mundane will discover much to ponder and reflect upon here. Nevertheless, readers who are in search of a more structured narrative might find the book's meandering style rather challenging.

Still, for those who are willing to engage with it wholeheartedly, "Visions of Gerard" offers a truly unique meditation on innocence, the divine within the human, and the indelible mark left by those who depart from our lives too soon. It stands as a testament to Kerouac's remarkable ability to skillfully weave personal tragedy with philosophical inquiry, thereby making it a significant addition to his oeuvre, even if it may not be universally accessible.

This is Jack Kerouac's most personal work, and it is one of my favorite books of his, along with On The Road and The Dharma Bums.

I have a deep affection for the way he portrays his big brother Gerard, who left this world far too soon. Gerard seemed to be brimming with life and energy. Reading this book has truly made me fathom why Kerouac ultimately turned to writing.

"Bless my soul, death is the only decent subject, since it marks the end of illusion and delusion - Death is the other side of the same coin, we call now, Life - The appearance of sweet Gerard's flower face, followed by its disappearance, alas, only a contour-maker and shadow-selector could prove it, that in all the perfect snow any such person or thing ever did arrive say Yea and go away - The whole world has no reality, it's only imaginary, and what are we to do? Nothing - nothing - nothing. Pray to be kind, wait to be patient, try to be fine. No use screamin. The Devil was a charming fool."

Kerouac's words here are profound and thought-provoking. They make us reflect on the nature of life and death, and the illusory nature of the world around us. His description of Gerard's passing is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and it shows the deep impact that his brother had on his life. Through his writing, Kerouac is able to explore these themes and share his insights with the world.

Short enough to read in one go, this piece offers a profound exploration. It delves into the themes of mortality and the cruelty of existence. The way it presents these ideas is in a rather mundane happy-sad manner. It makes you stop and think about the brevity of life and the often harsh realities we face.

You can breeze through it quickly, but it leaves a lasting impression. It forces you to confront the fact that our time on this earth is limited and that there are aspects of existence that can be cruel and unforgiving.

Yet, there is also a glimmer of hope and a sense of acceptance in the way it is written. It shows that even in the face of mortality and the harshness of life, we can find moments of happiness and meaning. It encourages us to cherish the present and to make the most of the time we have.

Overall, this short piece is a powerful reminder of the importance of reflecting on our lives and coming to terms with the inevitable. It makes us realize that while life may be short and sometimes cruel, it is also full of beauty and potential.

At around the age of four, Jack Kerouac's elder brother, Gerard, who was nine years old, passed away after a prolonged struggle with a lifelong recurring illness.

"Visions of Gerard" is Jack Kerouac's account of his remembrances, childhood thoughts, and adult reactions to his brother's untimely death.

This work is a moving, dark, and bleak exploration that delves into philosophical and somewhat hopeless themes.

It is a novel that uncovers many of the raw and unfiltered feelings of grief from a child's point of view.

Readers are taken on an emotional journey as they witness Kerouac's attempts to come to terms with the loss of his beloved brother.

The book offers a poignant and intimate look at the impact of grief on a young life and the lasting effects it can have.

"Visions of Gerard" is a powerful and deeply affecting work that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one.

Quite a different read from an 18-year-old to my current 48-year-old dad. This is such a beautiful book from Jack Kerouac. I can only imagine how tough this was to write. The words seem to flow like a river, carrying the reader along on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. It's a book that makes you think about life, love, and the meaning of it all. Glad I picked it up after all these years. It's like finding a hidden treasure.

A perfect way to spend the day. I sat in my favorite chair, with a cup of coffee by my side, and just lost myself in the pages of this wonderful book. The characters came alive in my mind, and I felt like I was a part of their story. It was a truly immersive experience. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and wants to be inspired.

Jack Kerouac, with a complex blend of a Buddhist worldview and his Catholic roots, approaches his brother who passed away in childhood.

He resurrects his brother in his memory as a broken saint. This work consists of 100 pages of meditation on the finitude of all being.

It is especially painful to read because on every page, one has the feeling that Kerouac's heart was simply too large for this world.

When he could no longer bear it, he drank himself to death.

His exploration of the relationship with his deceased brother is a profound and emotional journey.

The combination of his spiritual beliefs and personal grief adds depth and complexity to his writing.

It makes the reader reflect on the nature of loss, the meaning of life, and the power of memory.

Kerouac's work serves as a poignant reminder of the human condition and the struggles we face in coming to terms with our own mortality and the loss of those we love.

It has become fashionable to dismiss Kerouac as the kind of writer one is supposed to only read in your early twenties and then grow out of.

He appears today, somehow, against all odds, underrated.

It is truly a pity that such a talented writer is often overlooked or simply brushed aside in this way.

Kerouac's works are filled with raw emotions, vivid descriptions, and a unique perspective on life.

His writing style is both engaging and thought-provoking, capable of captivating readers of all ages.

Perhaps it is because his works are so different from the mainstream that he is not given the recognition he deserves.

However, for those who take the time to truly appreciate his writing, they will discover a world of beauty, passion, and truth.

I found this very moving.

It made me realize that we should not be so quick to judge and dismiss a writer based on popular opinion or trends.

Instead, we should open our minds and hearts to the works of all writers, regardless of their age or popularity.

Only then can we truly discover the hidden gems that lie within the world of literature.

It is the profound connection I feel with Kerouac that truly made me relish this book. I am a French Canadien, having been raised within the Catholic faith. My ancestors initially migrated from France to Canada and then onward to New England. I have spent my entire life residing in New England. Sadly, I had a sister who passed away at the tender age of 11 due to a birth defect. I can completely relate to every single thing he describes. Just like many others who have reviewed this and Kerouac's other works, I find Capote's comment to be highly derogatory. In my personal opinion, Kerouac writes in a distinct stream of consciousness style. As you peruse his books, you may not always immediately understand what he is trying to convey. However, the vivid images, the rich language, and the unique style he employs are truly one-of-a-kind.

[27th book of 2021. Artist for this review is American photographer Dorothea Lange—photographs (unless stated otherwise) are not of any of the people in this book, but rather photographs that capture the feeling.]

We have a scan of one of Kerouac's notebooks. In it, he outlined the chronological order of the Duluoz Legend as he had written it so far. However, it is incomplete as he later wrote novels that fit earlier in the story's order. For example, this novel was published in 1963 and is his 11th or 12th novel, yet it is the first chronological installment in the Legend. It is set when Kerouac was only 4 years old, so he barely features in it himself. With that in mind, this is perhaps one of the more overtly "fictional" novels of the Legend. The narrative delves into Gerard's head and follows Kerouac's father on trips to the pub. It essentially draws a portrait of Kerouac's family during his older brother's illness [rheumatic fever]. Gerard is 9 years old, and the plot of this novel is his inevitable decline towards death.

Of course, this is a biased portrait of a family. Kerouac, presumably, does not entirely remember his feelings at the age of 4. So, the emotion we have coming from the prose is that of the 41-year-old Jacky writing his own past and his own family's portrayal. Gerard is presented from the start as some Zen-like boy, heavenly and spiritual. At certain points in the narrative, Kerouac admits he does not know something or his memory is hazy, which is odd when entire sections of the novel are without his 4-year-old self present. As always, he is blending fact and fiction, which is one of my favorite things to read. It's also a hazy love-letter to Lowell, Massachusetts, where Kerouac grew up. He called this novel of his own a "pain-tale", and it's not hard to see why.

Gerard is 9 years old and dying. His death brings about many interesting ideas that Kerouac was probably grappling with. He wrote this in '63 and was dead by '69 due to his heavy drinking. I don't know if it's true, but I remember reading once that he had told his friends he couldn't kill himself because he was Catholic, so he was going to drink himself to death instead. There are some poignant lines regarding religion throughout the novel, particularly from Gerard, who is facing the fact that he may soon be going to Heaven.
As for the prose itself, Kerouac gets a lot of negative reviews. Frankly, I've never met a true Kerouac fan in person. My old professor once said he "understood" my love for him, but I don't know if that meant he shared it. It's not often you see anything about Kerouac without his drinking being mentioned, his spontaneous prose, and the fact that Capote called his work "typing, not writing". I disagree with Capote, but I like his work too. Kerouac's novels have a certain rhythm to them, and I think it's the sort of writing you have to get used to. Here's an example of some beautiful prose, in my eyes: "All of a sudden tossed wars of tree-tops will be warmer wars and less dry and crackety ones, and there'll be rumours and singing down the hillsides as snow melts, running for cover under the bloody light, to join the river's big body—" It's rambly and poetic. Kerouac often doesn't bother with punctuation or the "rules" of it, and he even said in a late interview with "The Paris Review" that publishers were told not to change his prose, but to leave it as it was, "mistakes" and all.
Finally, this slim novella all comes back to Gerard and his death, which the novel slowly approaches in a dreamlike stupor. And because it is such a personal novel, Kerouac is rather confessional. I won't spoil the real heartbreaking bits as Gerard dies and some of the dialogue, real or not, that Kerouac's mother wails. There's a very poignant moment around the middle of the novella where Gerard is in school and falls asleep at his desk. He is woken by his teacher and tells her that he, in his dream, has been to Heaven; he frightens everyone around him. I wonder how I would have reacted to this had I read it in its proper position as the first book in the Legend. I think Kerouac takes time to like. A few years ago, I read "On the Road" and didn't know what I thought of it. This is now my 11th Kerouac novel, and I consider him one of my favorite writers and biggest influences, flaws and all. The 4-year-old Kerouac in these pages has not yet met the road.

Francois Gerard Kerouac's Grave—Nashua, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.

Kerouac's novels are a unique blend of fact and fiction, a reflection of his own life and the people around him. "Visions of Gerard" is no exception. It is a deeply personal and emotional work that explores themes of family, illness, death, and religion. The prose is rambly and poetic, and while it may not be to everyone's taste, it has a certain charm and beauty that draws the reader in. Despite the negative reviews he sometimes receives, Kerouac's work continues to inspire and influence generations of writers. His willingness to be honest and confessional in his writing is something that I admire, and it is what makes his novels so engaging and memorable. Whether you are a die-hard Kerouac fan or a newcomer to his work, "Visions of Gerard" is definitely worth a read.

Five stars for me.

Mileage may vary.

If you don't believe him (Kerouac, young Kerouac and his life with Gerard, 30 years older Kerouac reflecting back on it), you might think five stars is crazy.

The language in this work is truly beautiful.

It is the best thing I've read by JK on Lowell.

Kerouac's writing style is unique and captivating.

His descriptions bring the characters and their experiences to life.

The relationship between young Kerouac and Gerard is complex and interesting.

As 30 years older Kerouac looks back on it, there is a sense of nostalgia and wisdom.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

It offers a glimpse into a different time and place, and the emotions and struggles of the characters.

Overall, it is a remarkable piece of literature that deserves the highest praise.

Five stars well-deserved.