A novel by Jack Kerouac, Big Sur (1962) revolves around the life of “Jack Duluoz” and certain events that happen in his friend’s cabin. Unlike other works of the author, this novel is more fictionalized, an element that manifests in the character of the protagonist.
This novel is an unconventional work in the author’s canon and departs from an objective narrative, narrating the actual mental state of the protagonist. The protagonist of the story is a published author who has become an alcoholic as he falls victim to unrealistic public expectations. As the narrative proceeds, the protagonist goes to a cabin to find a way out of his quotidian troubles and finds solace in his friend’s cabin.
While he is able to find this solace, he soon learns that escaping his problems is not a solution and goes back to the city. The story amalgamates elements of the protagonist’s life from the cabin as well as the city to produce a complex narrative.
