Door Wide Open
A Beat Love Affair in Letters, 1957-1958
By Jack Kerouac, Joyce Johnson | Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
About the book
On a blind date in Greenwich Village set up by Allen Ginsberg, Joyce Johnson (then Joyce Glassman) met Jack Kerouac in January 1957, nine months before he became famous overnight with the publication of On the Road. She was an adventurous, independent-minded twenty-one-year-old; Kerouac was already running on empty at thirty-five. This unique book, containing the many letters the two of them wrote to each other, reveals a surprisingly tender side of Kerouac. It also shares the vivid and unusual perspective of what it meant to be young, Beat, and a woman in the Cold War fifties. Reflecting on those tumultuous years, Johnson seamlessly interweaves letters and commentary, bringing to life her love affair with one of American letters' most fascinating and enigmatic figures.
Editions of Door Wide Open
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780670890408
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780141001876
Read an Excerpt
On a blind date in Greenwich Village set up by Allen Ginsberg, Joyce Johnson (then Joyce Glassman) met Jack Kerouac in January 1957, nine months before he became famous overnight with the publication of On the Road. She was an adventurous, independent-minded twenty-one-year-old; Kerouac was already running on empty at thirty-five. This unique book, containing the many letters the two of them wrote to each other, reveals a surprisingly tender side of Kerouac. It also shares the vivid and unusual perspective of what it meant to be young, Beat, and a woman in the Cold War fifties. Reflecting on those tumultuous years, Johnson seamlessly interweaves letters and commentary, bringing to life her love affair with one of American letters' most fascinating and enigmatic figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Door Wide Open about?
On a blind date in Greenwich Village set up by Allen Ginsberg, Joyce Johnson (then Joyce Glassman) met Jack Kerouac in January 1957, nine months before he became famous overnight with the publication of On the Road. She was an adventurous, independent-minded twenty-one-year-old; Kerouac was already running on empty at thirty-five. This unique book, containing the many letters the two of them wrote to each other, reveals a surprisingly tender side of Kerouac. It also shares the vivid and unusual perspective of what it meant to be young, Beat, and a woman in the Cold War fifties. Reflecting on those tumultuous years, Johnson seamlessly interweaves letters and commentary, bringing to life her love affair with one of American letters' most fascinating and enigmatic figures.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Door Wide Open?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Published diaries, letters and journals
Where can I read a sample of Door Wide Open?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780670890408
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Door Wide Open?
Jack Kerouac, Joyce Johnson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Door Wide Open is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780670890408) and paperback(ISBN 9780141001876)
Where can I buy Door Wide Open online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Door Wide Open from below
Where can I buy Door Wide Open?