The Dharma Bums Audiobook By Jack Kerouac cover art

The Dharma Bums

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The Dharma Bums

By: Jack Kerouac
Narrated by: Ethan Hawke
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About this listen

Jack Kerouac’s classic novel about friendship, the search for meaning, and the allure of nature

First published in 1958, a year after On the Road put the Beat Generation on the map, The Dharma Bums stands as one of Jack Kerouac's most powerful and influential novels. The story focuses on two ebullient young Americans - mountaineer, poet, and Zen Buddhist Japhy Ryder, and Ray Smith, a zestful, innocent writer - whose quest for Truth leads them on a heroic odyssey, from marathon parties and poetry jam sessions in San Francisco's Bohemia to solitude and mountain climbing in the High Sierras.

©1958 Jack Kerouac (P)2020 Penguin Audio
Biographical Fiction Classics Fiction Literary Fiction Inspiring
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Critic reviews

"In [On the Road] Kerouac's heroes were sensation seekers; now they are seekers after truth...the novel often attains a beautiful dignity, and builds towards a moving climax." (The Chicago Tribune)

"In his often brilliant descriptions of nature one is aware of exhilarating power and originality...the entire cast of characters is presented with that not unrefreshing blend of naivete and sophistication that seems to be this author's forte." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Full of sparkling descritions of landscape and weather, light falling through trees, the smell of snow, the motion of animals...Jack Kerouac is a writer who cannot be charged with dullness." (The Atlantic)

Featured Article: 25+ Quotes About the Power of Kindness


Kindness is the quality of being considerate, compassionate, generous, gentle, and caring towards others without expecting anything in return. Often described as a virtue, kindness is also a strength—in fact, it may be one of humanity's greatest superpowers. Whenever you need a little encouragement or gentle reminder, turn to these quotes from authors who understand the power of kindness and express it quite remarkably.

What listeners say about The Dharma Bums

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Always Timely If You Have the Time

I Enjoy this book every time. Great voice and story momentum. It is a great read or listen.

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What a journey!

Pure humanistic spiritual experience in prose. Kerouac is king and who better to read him than Ethan Hawke? This is one book I will revisit again and again for the sheer beauty and eloquence of its boyish adventure in these three men and what their kinship in nature brought to them and us through through the voice of this gifted poet. A treasured gem.

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A beautiful performance of an amazing novel

It was an absolute delight to listen to this book. It’s long been a favorite of mine. Ethan Hawke truly embodies the spirit and soul that is Kerouac and brings each amazing character to life in this beautiful story of self discovery, friendship, exploitation, wilderness, and soulful
wonder.

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2 people found this helpful

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great voice acting!

lovely book thoroughly enjoyed it and the narration was fantastic very much so reminded me of midnight gospel in a way.

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A Must Read

This book fixes me when I’m down and lost. I’ve read it a few times now and I always find something new and profound to my heart. I think no matter who you are or where you’re from, there is something for you in this story.

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The best!

Can’t believe I hadn’t read this before! Loved it. Ethan Hawke was perfect and feel lucky to have listened to this by him as was meant to be.

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Philosophical and Experiential

I really enjoyed it. i have a bit of a Buddhist background so I was familiar with some of his philosophy, but I was rather critical of the sensualism or hedonism that many of the characters act on. Great read.

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Fun Story to Read

A fun story that I revisited after I had a major change of my mind about religion and was exploring Buddhism. An interesting mix of Kerouac’s Christianity and different Buddhist topics. Second time reading it and I enjoyed it.

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Stupendous narration!

The narrator brought so much dimension and liveliness to Kerouac's writing, making voices for the various characters (in a very non-annoying way) and giving Kerouac the same emphatic tone with which he writes. Highly recommend.

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A winding swirling journey to Buddhahood

I loved the language and the journey and the characters, and the locations.
Oh yes, the narration made the story alive a Jack would have liked.
Blah!

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