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Jack Kerouac

1922–1969

1 series 15 books in order 13 standalone books

Jack Kerouac was an American novelist and poet of French-Canadian ancestry, born in 1922 and died in 1969. Considered a literary iconoclast and, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, a pioneer of the Beat Generation, he is recognized for his method of spontaneous prose, with work covering Catholic spirituality, jazz, promiscuity, Buddhism, drugs, poverty, and travel.

Born
1922
Known for
Duluoz Legend

Series by Jack Kerouac

Duluoz Legend

2 books in order · 1962–1965

  1. Cover of Big Sur

    Big Sur

    1962 · Jack Kerouac

    Big Sur is a 1962 novel by Jack Kerouac, written from the perspective of his alter ego, Jack Dulouz. The story follows the character as he retreats…

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  2. Desolation Angels

    1965 · Jack Kerouac

    Desolation Angels is a semi-autobiographical novel by Jack Kerouac, part of his Duluoz Legend. Published in 1965, it was written earlier, during the…

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Standalone books

  1. Cover of Vanity of Duluoz

    Vanity of Duluoz

    1969

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  2. Cover of Tristessa

    Tristessa

    1960

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  3. Cover of Mexico City blues

    Mexico City blues

    1959

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  4. Cover of Dr Sax

    Dr Sax

    1959

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  5. Cover of Les Souterrains

    Les Souterrains

    1958

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  6. Cover of On the Road

    On the Road

    1957

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  7. Cover of The town and the city

    The town and the city

    1950

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  8. Cover of The Dharma Bums

    The Dharma Bums

    Year unknown

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  9. Cover of Lonesome Traveler

    Lonesome Traveler

    Year unknown

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  10. Cover of Visions of Cody

    Visions of Cody

    Year unknown

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  11. Cover of And the hippos were boiled in their tanks

    And the hippos were boiled in their tanks

    Year unknown

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  12. Cover of Visions of Gerard

    Visions of Gerard

    Year unknown

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  13. Cover of Satori in Paris

    Satori in Paris

    Year unknown

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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Jack Kerouac written?

We list 15 books by Jack Kerouac across 1 series, published between 1950–1969 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Jack Kerouac's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “Big Sur.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Jack Kerouac's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.