"On the Road" is a novel by Jack Kerouac, published in 1957. It is a defining work of the Beat Generation, capturing the spirit of adventure and the quest for meaning in post-World War II America. The story follows the journeys of the narrator, Sal Paradise, and his friend Dean Moriarty as they travel across the United States, exploring themes of freedom, friendship, and the search for identity. The book is known for its spontaneous prose style, reflecting the jazz rhythms that influenced Kerouac. It portrays a diverse cast of characters and their experiences with love, drugs, and the American landscape, making it a significant cultural artifact of its time.