On the Road

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The 1951 scroll draft of "On the Road" showcases Jack Kerouac's original composition, written in a burst of creativity over three weeks in Manhattan. This draft, typed as a single, long paragraph on tracing paper and taped into a 120-foot scroll, stands as a pivotal artifact in American literary history. It captures Kerouac's revolutionary aesthetic, marking the convergence of his thematic vision and narrative voice. This period also reflects a broader experimentation in the arts following World War II. The novel, as we know it today, was published by Viking in 1957, six years after this initial draft, which differs in significant details and emphasis. The scroll presents a slightly longer text with heightened linguistic flair and a more sexually charged tone, using real names of Kerouac's friends instead of the fictional ones later adopted. For the fiftieth anniversary of "On the Road," Viking will release the scroll in book format. The transcription was completed by Howard Cunnell, who, along with Joshua Kupetz, George Mouratidis, and Penny Vlagopoulos, offers a critical introduction detailing the fascinating history of the composition and publication, situating the text within its historical, political, and social context.