On The Road

I have been hearing about On The Road by Jack Kerouac for years. It has been  on every list of award winners, recommendations, and Pinterest suggestions that I have found. I was incredibly eager and excited to read it and discover what all the fuss was about.
Don't hate me. I didn't like it.
For those of you that haven't heard of it, On The Road is based on Kerouac's cross country travels and adventures with his friend Neal Cassady in the late 1940's. Therefore, it is realistic and believable, and definitely gives you the travel bug. However, there is no climax. Kerouac's thoughts and stories run together as he rambles on about his friends, their relationships, and adventures.
I understand and appreciate why it is such a classic and well renowned work. Kerouac's writing and attention to detail is brilliant. His real life portrayal of life in the 40s opens your eyes to how much things have changed, and makes you yearn for a simpler time. But I just didn't enjoy it. I couldn't get into it.
Classic books are difficult, because I think people often say they love them just because they know that they are classic. They feel that they have to love them because everyone does. But I think that it is okay to not like a classically celebrated book. We all know how much I disliked Emma Bovary and her selfish dramas. The point isn't to love every illustrious work that is handed to you, but to be able to understand it and form your own opinion.
Which is what I did. And I'm sure many people will disagree with me. I think that Kerouac is a brilliant writer, and his story was passionate and inspiring. I am glad that I read On The Road, and I would recommend it. Not because I liked it, but because I think it is important for everyone to form their own opinions about widely recognized works. But I will tell you one thing, like it or not, it will definitely give you the urge to jump in your car with your best friend and whatever money you have in your pockets, and drive.