Article: THE BEAT GOES ON NEARLY 20 YEARS AFTER JACK KEROUAC'S DEATH, SCHOLARS, VOYEURS, TOURISTS, AND DISCIPLES STILL FLOCK TO LOWELL SEARCHING FOR HIS SOUL

Jack Kerouac wanted me to leave him alone.

I know this. I believe in ghosts, as he did. Stumbling along the unshoveled sidewalks of Lowell in February, looking at the tired houses where the author had been born and raised, staring down at the sullen waters of the Merrimack through the girders of the old Moody Street Bridge, I could feel it, hear it in the icy wind. "Get lost," it said.

When the Honda broke down on Pawtucket Street, steam rising ominously from under the hood, fluid pouring out of the guts, I knew. The car had just been given a $300 tuneup and a new water pump, but the pump mysteriously sprang a leak. It was a sign.

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!