约翰·霍尔姆斯的《行走》——引领垮掉派文学及其旅行叙事的开山之作

John Clellon Holmes’s Go:A Pioneering Novel of the Beat Generation and Its Journey Narrative

约翰·克列伦·霍尔姆斯是被世人遗忘了的“垮掉派”文学之父,其代表作《行走》开创了“垮掉派”纪实小说之先河。小说不仅真实再现了“垮掉派”原型人物在纽约的漫游、派对、酗酒、吸毒和性爱生活,而且也深度反映了他们在迷惘中的求索和对家园的追求。万花筒般的地理景观变化、漫游路径和交通工具的描写赋予小说纽约旅行指南的特征,小说中对“垮掉派”作为一个群体的定义也使得世人首次了解“垮掉派”的总体特征。正是靠阅读霍尔姆斯的《行走》,杰克·凯鲁亚克才创作出著名的《在路上》。因此,发掘霍尔姆斯及其《行走》中的旅行叙事,对于认识“垮掉派”文学及其旅行叙事特征具有重要意义。

John Clellon Holmes was the forgotten father of Beat Generation literature,and his masterpiece Go pioneered the genre of Beat Generation romanàclef.This novel not only realistically represents the wandering,party-holding,alcohol drinking and love making of the archetypal figures of the Beat Generation,but also profoundly expresses their spiritual quest and longing for an authentic family.The kaleidoscopic changes of geographical landscapes and detailed description of wandering routes and travel vehicles characterize the novel as travel guide to New York,and the detailed definition of the Beat Generation as a group makes this coterie known to the public.It was just after reading Holmes’Go that Jack Kerouac wrote his On the Road,the Bible of the Beat Generation.Therefore,rediscovering Holmes and his Go is important for examining the features of Beat Generation literature and their journey narratives.