Lovely. Admittedly, Kerouac can frustrate me at times. However, this tiny little novel served as a wonderful reminder of why I continue to read his books as I come across and acquire them.

“June, late June, with the trees having burgeoned green and gold, and the beeswax bugs are high chickadeeing. The topmost trees embrowsying the drowsy air of a reader’s noon, the backfences of Beaulieu street sleeping like lazy dogs, the flies rubbing their miser forelegs on screens…” The description is so vivid and evocative, painting a beautiful picture in the mind.

There is another quote on pages 110 - 111 that is truly worth the entire read. The scene behind the scene and what exactly that means... I have re-read these two pages approximately a dozen times now. It's Faulklorian in its length and lexical density. I really enjoy sentences that make me hold my breath, yet feel incredibly natural when reading both silently and aloud. Kudos to Kerouac for his amazing writing skills.

2.5 stars rounded down.

In what should have been titled "Visions of Em-dashes," we are presented with a blustery alcoholic who spews forth the fabricated rememberings of a lost brother. This brother is depicted as being too young and innocent, almost saint-like, in the hard-scrabble French Canadian mill town of Lowell, MA.

Kerouac is simply too romantic for my taste. Even when delving into a topic that might seem somewhat worthy of romance, such as the sad early death of a child, he goes overboard. There is an excessive amount of Buddhism and teary-eyed pretense. I have never really been a fan of Kerouac's work for these reasons, and this book, despite being short, feels like it drags on for far too long.

I won't deny that there are some beautiful sentences here and that in certain stretches, this long-winded dreamy prose manages to work. However, generally speaking, for me, Kerouac is overrated and the so-called "poetry" is just too much. Admittedly, I may be under-read in his bibliography, but I just can't seem to find a reason to keep searching for something more in his works.

“How is it at home?”

“Well, there we don't fight, we —” he was about to say “we die” but checked himself.

This is an extremely tender and personal account of the short life of a gentle, sick child. It delves deep into the themes of suffering, pain, and existence. The author masterfully portrays the child's experiences and emotions, making the reader feel a profound connection. The book is not only a beautiful piece of literature but also a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. It makes us question our own lives and the meaning of it all. The writing is engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Overall, it is really a good book that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

Visions of Gerard is an exquisitely beautiful yet acutely painful literary work. Kerouac has always been fully immersed in whatever he pens, but in this particular piece, he delves to an even deeper level, tapping into the child-like innocence that he intended to convey. The idea of a lost child is never a facile one, and getting to know the sweet and sensitive Gerard makes one seethe with anger over his untimely death. Nevertheless, if one manages to make it through this book once, then there will be occasions when one will desire or require to go back and re-read Visions of Gerard, simply to remind oneself that such lovely sweetness could ever have existed.

Come to think of it, no other book has ever been as aptly named as this one. It truly encapsulates the essence and the spirit of the story within its very title. The visions of Gerard that are presented in the book are not just mere figments of imagination but rather a poignant and powerful exploration of a young life that was cut short, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and sadness.

Along with Big Sur, this is my absolute favorite book by Kerouac. It's quite funny actually. I was never really moved by "On the Road". I thought "Dharma Bums" was just okay. However, I completely and utterly love the books that are more ignored by Jack, like these two and "Dr. Sax". These overlooked works have a certain charm and depth that I find truly captivating. They offer a different perspective and a unique exploration of various themes. It's as if they are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Maybe it's because they don't have the same level of mainstream popularity as some of his other books, but that's precisely what makes them so special to me. I highly recommend giving these lesser-known Kerouac works a chance. You might just be surprised by how much you'll come to love them.

Homenagem transcendental

With ease, Kerouac pieces together the puzzle of his earliest childhood memories. The sensorial nature of the text transforms childhood reminiscence into a synesthetic connection, integrated with the rediscovery of the poetic essence of the world. Returning to the ontological origin of being, the profusion of senses overflows in the time of the imagetic construction of his artistic identity, emanated by the unconditional love for Gerard - his older, sick brother who passed away at the tender age of nine.

The text reveals how the author internally processed the impact of death, which occurred very early, when he was only three years old. This book emerged approximately forty years after that emotional shock, when the author felt ready to come to terms with the loss. By employing automatic writing, Kerouac gives life to his hero in the form of a brother, a saint, a metaphorical angel who sacralizes his childhood innocence.

(Yuri Ulrych)

I read this at the tender age of 17 or 18, in one full sitting, while I was in the waiting room at Mass General Hospital. My grandmother was ailing, and I had taken the day off from school. There was nothing to do and nowhere to go.

I plugged into the story, and it completely took over my being.

Since then, I've revisited it, but it's never been quite the same experience.

You know how that happens? A book will suddenly come into your life, and BLAMMO--- you're completely engrossed in it.

Then, slowly but surely, it fades away into memory....

UNTIL, of course, your Dad unearths it from your basement, the one in the house where you grew up. He plops it down in front of you unexpectedly. The smell of old New England must is all over it, and it transports you back to when you were young and growing up in the town next door to Ti Jean himself.... It's a properly Proustian experience.

Even though I've left Jack behind as a reader, he'll always have a special place in my heart. He's like an old, earnest, errant friend from high school who still lives in the town where you grew up.

Best read if you are a decently fast reader. This piece is a remarkable example of stream of consciousness done supremely well. The words flow continuously, like a river of thoughts. However, if you stop to dwell on each sentence or idea, it can leave you bewildered. It's as if you're trying to catch a single drop in a torrential downpour. But as I continue to read, I find myself beginning to like Kerouac more and more. His unique style and ability to capture the essence of the human mind in its most chaotic state is truly captivating. I'm eager to explore more of his works and see where this journey of discovery takes me.

It was extremely difficult for me to assign a 3-star rating to this book.

The reason being that I have a profound adoration for Jack and his remarkable writing. However, I truly faced significant challenges while reading this particular work.

In the midst of reading, I took a three-week break, and perhaps that was an error on my part.

What I really desired was to learn more about the family and his brother. Regrettably, the scenes描绘 of his father playing cards at the bar seemed to stretch on for pages and pages at a time.

These scenes failed to capture my attention, and I frequently found myself getting lost.

I had to constantly struggle to figure out where I had last been in his train of thought. This occurred far more often than in a typical book written by him.

Overall, while I still have a great deal of respect for Jack and his writing, this book unfortunately did not meet my expectations as much as his other works.

Deicide - the act of killing a divine being.

It is a profound and captivating prose/poetry that flows like a stream of consciousness. The descriptive language used is so rich and emotionally wrought that it makes the piece beautifully written. Here, an adult Kerouac ponders upon the mystery of life and death, yet he does so through the eyes of his three-year-old self. It's a unique perspective that adds an extra layer of depth and intrigue.

As you read this, it's advisable to keep a dictionary handy. Kerouac isn't dumbing down his writing for an audience of illiterates. Instead, he challenges the readers to expand their vocabulary and engage with his complex and thought-provoking ideas. His use of words is precise and deliberate, making every sentence a work of art.

This piece truly showcases Kerouac's literary genius and his ability to explore the deepest mysteries of human existence in a way that is both accessible and profound.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can assist you further.

Holy Gerard.

Angel, saint, Jesus reincarnated!

His amazing artistic talent and superior intellect are truly remarkable.

He is so kind and loving, and it is said that he achieved perfection at the age of nine!

Ridiculous as it may sound...

One hundred and thirty pages rambled on in this way, with a little bit about his dad's night out, gambling and drinking.

Gerard is described as taming animals and birds, giving words of healing to all, and dealing out thoughtful philosophy at the drop of a hat.

This book was so over the top with praise for his brother that I could barely force myself to get through it.

There was so much effusive sentimental nonsense that I could hardly believe it was published.

This story is almost as bad as his poetry, which also seems to be overly exaggerated and lacking in substance.

Overall, I was not impressed with this book and found it to be a waste of time.