Littourati

Literature often describes places we are curious about, regardless of whether we know them or not. This blog maps the journeys laid out in selected books and offers reflections corresponding to the various stops. Happy traveling!

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Jack Kerouac's On the Road Journey Part 2: New York and Yonkers

This post has moved to Littourati's new site at Squarespace. See it at

On the Road: New York and Yonkers

Monday, May 22, 2006

Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" Journey Part 1: Paterson, NJ

This post has moved to Littourati's new site at Squarespace. See it at

On the Road: Paterson, New Jersey

Welcome to Littourati

Welcome to the first posting of Littourati. Each installment of this blog will focus on a point on a journey that is laid out in a book. The installment will continue until the journey is completed, and feature a place, a quote, some personal reflections, and some additional information.

In each post, a link to a Google Map will be provided so that readers may see the route laid out in front of them.

It is a hope that such a site will pique readers' interests not only in the literature, but in the places described and perhaps their own reflections. Perhaps some enterprising readers will choose to visit or retrace the routes laid out! If so, maybe this blog will be helpful.

Now, a disclaimer. All of this grew out of an experiment in learning how to customize Google Maps. As the learning process continues, there are a few caveats in order. The code is Google Maps API Version 1. As soon as Version 2 is learned, the maps will be converted over. The Google Map works best in Firefox 1.5 or above, and Internet Explorer 6.0 and above. IThe map will not work across all browsers yet, and does not seem to work as expected in Safari. Also, only one or two points will be offered at a time per post. That means it will take a while to work through a book.

However, keep in mind that journeys are best traveled slowly, with the traveler taking some time to learn about the places and process his or her feelings about them. The journey will eventually end, so don't be too hasty to get to the conclusion!

Please enjoy, and happy traveling! Please post comments, reflections, anything you like on the authors, books, or places. And if you have any suggestions for reading material that might be reviewed by the Littourati, please don't hesitate to recommend a book! It may well end up being toured!