http://www.examiner.com/x-8359-Denver-Books-Examiner~y2009m9d4-Joyce-Johnsons-Door-Wide-Open
September 4, 2009
Zack Kopp
Joyce Johnson's Door Wide Open, a compilation of letters exchanged
with Jack Kerouac during their affair, offers a broad, believable
view of the so-called "Beat Generation", a group of writers infamous
for its lack of strong female voices.
Johnson's book provides a bird's eye glimpse of the gritty world
behind the novels and poems of the Beats. She was one loyal
port-of-call in New York for that that circle of writers at a time
when they were gallivanting all over the globe, keeping Jack
up-to-date on news and gossip as he came and went. We see her as the
nervous shy girl acting cool for Kerouac's benefit, and get a sense
of him as a tragically flawed but good-hearted coward.
The contents of the letters in this book refer to events from the
couple's first meeting, after being fixed up by Allen Ginsberg, until
their affairwhich took place after the release of On the Road an
important period in Kerouac's lifehad become a friendship. The
letters are supplemented by Johnson's narration and related
correspondence from friends and relatives.
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