Desolation Angels-Kerouac 1965

Desolation Angels (novel)

Desolation Angels, published in 1965, yet written years earlier around the time On the Road was in the process of publication, is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac, which makes up part of his Duluoz Legend. According to the book's foreword, the opening section of the novel is almost directly taken 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.

Style
The book is broken up into two sections called Desolation Angels and Passing Through, which are then subdivided into many shorter parts. Each part focuses on a specific location where Kerouac is at that time. The first section covers Kerouac's time on the mountain and immediately after he leaves the fire lookout. The foreword of the book mentions that Kerouac was hoping to get the second section, Passing Through, published as a standalone novel.

References in Popular Culture

Bad Company's 1979 album Desolation Angels was named after this novel.

Kathy Acker's novel Kathy Goes to Haiti references this book.
A card in the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering is named Desolation Angel, referencing this novel.

The Austin, Texas-based country band Reckless Kelly has a song titled "Desolation Angels".

"Desolation Row", by Bob Dylan, is said to get its title from this novel.