Quotes from book
Desolation Angels

Desolation Angels

Desolation Angels is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac, which makes up part of his Duluoz Legend. It was published in 1965, but was written years earlier, around the time On the Road was in the process of publication. According to the book's foreword, the opening section of the novel is taken almost directly from the journal he kept when he was a fire lookout on Desolation Peak in the North Cascade mountains of Washington state. Much of the psychological struggle which the novel's protagonist, Jack Duluoz, undergoes in the novel reflects Kerouac's own increasing disenchantment with the Buddhist philosophy with which he had previously been fascinated.


Jack Kerouac photo

“So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless and don't be sorry”

Variant: Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry.
Source: Desolation Angels

Jack Kerouac photo

“A sociable smile is nothing but teeth.”

Sometimes misquoted as "A sociable smile is nothing but a mouth full of teeth."
Desolation Angels (1965)

Jack Kerouac photo
Jack Kerouac photo
Jack Kerouac photo

“There's your Karma ripe as peaches.”

Desolation Angels (1965)

Jack Kerouac photo
Jack Kerouac photo
Jack Kerouac photo

“Everything is going to the beat — It's the beat generation”

Desolation Angels (1965)
Context: Everything is going to the beat — It's the beat generation, it be-at, it's the beat to keep, it's the beat of the heart, it's being beat and down in the world and like oldtime lowdown and like in ancient civilizations the slave boatmen rowing galleys to a beat and servants spinning pottery to a beat...

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