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Book Review – Kenton Crowther’s Kerouac on the Binge

Denise Enck

Kerouac: On the Binge by Kenton Crowther
Kerouac: On the Binge by Kenton Crowther (cover art is a painting by the author)

Kenton Crowther’s latest short e-book, a 3200-word essay titled Kerouac on the Binge (perhaps rather indelicately), is not an in-depth study of the author and his work, but rather the thoughtful musings of one who has read Kerouac’s works in depth, and has something to say about them.

You might see the word “binge” and think it refers to drinking. And, that’s certainly something that Kerouac did plenty of. But what Crowther is getting at is more than that – a life lived as a binge. Binge living, binge writing.

Written in Crowther’s own distinctive, freewheeling, conversational manner – peppered with retro hipster lingo – the author delves into Kerouac’s writing style, the genesis of On the Road, the intensity of writing process.

There’s a short bit on benzedrine and its energizing effects on the Beats. Then, Crowther briefly considers marketing – and how Allen Ginsberg often helped him in that department – contrasted with modern-day marketing techniques. Crowther tells of Warner Brothers’ early offer for an On the Road movie, which was declined in favor of a better offer which never came. He finishes up with a chapter devoted to Kerouac’s appearance on The Steve Allen Show, and his sad, late-life decline.

While Kerouac scholars won’t find any new discoveries here, casual readers of Kerouac will likely find it an entertaining, if brief, read. And, those who have yet to read the man’s works—or who haven’t treated themselves to the pleasure in a while—may just be inspired to go find a copy of On the Road, and start reading.

Kerouac: On the Binge by Kenton Crowther is available here.
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Denise Enck

Denise is Empty Mirror's founder and editor. She's edited several other literary magazines and small-press publications since the 1990s. When not at Empty Mirror, you can probably find her reading or writing -- or out exploring the back roads and beaches of Washington State.

Author: Denise Enck Tags: Jack Kerouac, Kenton Crowther Category: Beat Generation February 20, 2015

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Empty Mirror

Established in 2000 and edited by Denise Enck, Empty Mirror is an online literary magazine that publishes new work each Friday.

Each week EM features several poems each by one or two poets; reviews; critical essays; visual art; and personal essays.

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