The Dharma Bums cover art

The Dharma Bums

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Dharma Bums

By: Jack Kerouac
Narrated by: Allen Ginsberg
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $16.99

Buy Now for $16.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.
Cancel

About this listen

 Two friends in 1950s San Francisco Bohemia explore Buddhism Zen - hipster style. On the road to finding Dharma, or truth, the story's narrator, Raymond Smith comes to a spiritual roadblock. Smith, based on Kerouac himself, discovers a role model in his friend Japhy Ryder, modeled after the real poet-Buddhist Gary Snyder. This autobiographical novel is one of Kerouac's most popular, and has served as an inspiration to the beat culture, hippies, and dharma seekers since the 1950s. This program is narrated by legendary poet Allen Ginsberg, a friend of Kerouac's and an early fan of his work.Recording (P)1991 by Audio Literature; ©1958 by Jack Kerouac Action & Adventure Biographical Fiction Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

What listeners say about The Dharma Bums

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User

Beware of Ginsberg!

This isnt my favourite of Jack's work, but fans will know what their in for and it provides plenty of his poetic ramblings. I have found myself drinking more green tea after finishing this.

When I saw this was narrated by Ginsberg I was really excited, but I feel though he obviously gets Jack, and the work better than anyone, the recording quality and reading itself was detrimental. I had to fuck with eq settings to be able to listen to this properly , and often the Ginsberg accent and accents of syllables got a little too much.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User

Blessed

Beautiful privilege to have his kindred soul read to us capturing the essence perfectly

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User

Vintage Kerouac - descriptive and entertaining

Jack Kerouac's running narrataive style of writing can be hard to follow at first, but once you get used to it, it flows easily.
He has a whimsical way of describing things as they happen, and a charming look at life. The description of his few months spent as a lookout on Mt Desolation was a highlight for me.. it really brought the experience to life with all the tedium, occasional deprivation and moments of great joy.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Reece M.

Can't hear it

The audio may as well have been recorded in a microwave while the narrator screamed the words from outside. Pretty annoyed as I can't register anything in the car.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.