List of 15 authors like Jack Kerouac

If you are a fan of Jack Kerouac and enjoy his works inspired by the Beat Generation ethos, with themes such as spirituality, spontaneity, and the pursuit of personal freedom, then you may also find other authors with similar writing styles or themes to be intriguing.

Here is a list of 15 authors along with some of their key works that you may find interesting.

1. 1
   Allen Ginsberg – Known for his groundbreaking poem “Howl,” Ginsberg was a close friend of Kerouac and a central figure in the Beat Generation.
2. 2
   William S. Burroughs – A leading member of the Beat Generation, his most famous work is “Naked Lunch,” a non-linear narrative that explores addiction and control.
3. 3
   Neal Cassady – The inspiration for the character Dean Moriarty in Kerouac's “On the Road,” Cassady's autobiographical novel “The First Third” is worth a read.
4. 4
   Charles Bukowski – His gritty, raw style in works like “Post Office” and “Ham on Rye” delves into the lives of the poor and the act of writing itself.
5. 5
   Henry Miller – “Tropic of Cancer” and “Tropic of Capricorn” are among his most famous works, sharing a free-flowing, candid narrative similar to Kerouac's.
6. 6
   Hunter S. Thompson – The founder of Gonzo Journalism, his works including “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” reflect the counter-cultural spirit of the Beats.
7. 7
   Gary Snyder – A poet often associated with the Beat Generation and the San Francisco Renaissance, he is known for his works that incorporate natural settings and Zen Buddhism.
8. 8
   Tom Wolfe – In “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” he chronicles the psychedelic bus trip of Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, a narrative in the spirit of Beat adventures.
9. 9
   Richard Brautigan – Known for whimsical yet poignant works such as “Trout Fishing in America” that resonate with the Beat generation's sentiments.
10. 10
    Jack London – An earlier influence on Kerouac's sense of adventure, London's “The Call of the Wild” and “White Fang” offer exciting, naturalist narratives.
11. 11
    Herman Hesse – Especially “Siddhartha” and “Steppenwolf,” Hesse's works explore self-discovery and spirituality, themes common in Kerouac's works.
12. 12
    Gregory Corso – Another Beat poet, his works like “Gasoline” are known for their unconventional structure and raw emotion.
13. 13
    John Clellon Holmes – Known for the novel “Go,” which closely observes the Beat generation.
14. 14
    F. Scott Fitzgerald – His opus “The Great Gatsby” examines the American dream in a way that Beat literature often questions American values and culture.
15. 15
    Ken Kesey – Author of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,” Kesey was a key figure in the countercultural revolution and inspired many of the Beat Generation authors.

These authors each have a unique voice but share a common thread in the exploration of deeper meaning, counter-culture, self-exploration, or the critique of societal norms, which might resonate with fans of Jack Kerouac's literary style.