From one of the most famous of the Beat writers, Kerouac's final novel of brotherhood and travel, now reissued in a standalone edition following his centenary celebration Pic--full name Pictorial Review Jackson--is a ten-year-old Black boy living in rural North Carolina with his grandfather in the 1940s. When Pic is forced to move in with his aunt after his grandfather's passing, his older brother Slim appears to rescue him. Together, they hitch a ride to New York City, where Slim lives with his pregnant girlfriend, but the city's poverty shocks young Pic. When Slim loses job after job, the brothers will pick up and head west, making their way to California across a country suffused with hardship, music, love, and danger. Kerouac's last published novel, Pic is an endearing portrayal of brotherhood and the classic American road trip, seen through the adventurous eyes of a child.
Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac was an American novelist and poet known for his spontaneous prose style and association with the Beat Generation. His most notable works include "On the Road" and "The Dharma Bums," which explore themes of freedom, spirituality, and the search for meaning in life. Kerouac's writing often reflected his own experiences traveling across America and his interest in jazz music and Eastern philosophy. His work had a significant impact on literature, influencing future generations of writers and shaping the countercultural movement of the 1950s and 1960s. "On the Road" remains his most famous work, celebrated for its exploration of the American road trip and its portrayal of the Beat Generation's quest for authenticity and self-discovery.