If you’re looking for a great read that will transport you to another time and place, then look no further than these five amazing hippie books. From the free-spirited world of 1960s San Francisco to the hardships of life on the road, these stories have it all. So curl up with a cup of tea and get ready to escape into some truly mesmerizing worlds.
by David Stone
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe is a fascinating piece of work that takes readers on an exciting journey through the 1960s. It explores the emergence of the counterculture movement, fueled by the communal spirit and use of psychedelic drugs.
The novel follows Ken Kesey, a former Stanford student turned drug guru, as he and the members of his “Merry Prankster” group take trips across the country in their psychedelic bus called Further.
Sample Chapter: 1968, The Garden of What Was and Was Not
Along the way, we meet a host of memorable characters that come alive with vivid descriptions from Wolfe’s writing. This novel will hold your attention as it follows Kesey and company on their hallucinogenic odyssey, leading readers to reflect on subjects ranging from romanticism to existentialism.
A must-read for anyone interested in learning more about this influential period in American history!
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
On the Road by Jack Kerouac has become an iconic symbol of freedom, exploration and adventure to many readers.
This novel’s plot follows two friends making their way across America, with no particular destination in mind. Along their journey they find themselves absorbed in the realities of America, unencumbered by expectations or judgment.
It’s a story that captures the reader’s imagination right from the start and follows Kerouac’s unique style of writing that keeps you wanting more. Whether it’s being read as a social commentary or just a great tale of friendship, On The Road will remain one of the most beloved classics for many years to come.
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac is a classic piece of literature leading the beat generation at the peak of the American counterculture movement in the 1950s.
It follows Ray Smith, who is a young wandering vagabond in search of enlightenment as he embarks on many different adventures. With themes like spiritual growth, introspection and discovery it’s no wonder why almost 75 years later, this masterpiece has been translated into many different languages and continues to captivate readers around the world.
The Dharma Bums is an amazing work that allows readers to mentally travel between countries and subject matters, showing everyone how much there still is to explore and learn regardless of our age or current place.
The Hippie Dictionary by John Bassett McCleary
The Hippie Dictionary by John Bassett McCleary is a treasure trove that no book collector of the modern day should be without.
It offers an inside look at the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s, giving readers a window into a time ripe with peace and love in the air. If one were to pick up this book one would find hundreds of slang words from that used in that time period, detailing their meanings and origins on each page. For anyone looking to take their language journey back decades, it is essential reading!
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs is a truly unique piece of literature that defies traditional conventions and genre norms. Released in 1959, the novel has been described as “culturally explosive” and continues to baffle readers with its surrealist prose, madcap plot, and abstract characters. It’s a work that forces readers to abandon the idea of linear storytelling, instead drawing them into a world of intertextual references and semiotic interpretation. Whether you’re ready to take up the challenge or not, Naked Lunch is an essential read for any fan of subversive literature.
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey is, to put it simply, an absolute classic of American literature. The novel, first published in 1975, tells the story of four characters — George Hayduke, Bonnie Abbzug, Doc Sarvis and Seldom Seen Smith — on a mission to stop the industrial destruction of national parks and public land across the Western United States.
Along the way they employ sabotage as their preferred method of protest against what they see as corporate aggression against nature. Abbey’s vivid prose paints a vivid picture that is both humorous and action-packed, with big thinkers experiencing extreme adventure.
Quickly gaining cult status after its release, The Monkey Wrench Gang has gone on to inspire generations of environmental activists today.
Hippie Books conclusion
The 1960s was an era of indelible cultural significance. Infused with many radical, new ideas, the 1960s altered our perception of life forever. The books listed above are just a few examples of how this moment in history left its mark on literature.
Tom Wolfe’s Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test captures the rebellious essence of hippie culture, while Jack Kerouac’s On the Road and The Dharma Bums provide readers with an insight into life as a Bohemian hitchhiker.
For more details about hippie language and traditions, The Hippie Dictionary by John Bassett McCleary offers a comprehensive look at the colorful vernacular employed by this fascinating subculture.
William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch is extremely controversial but compelling nonetheless and Edward Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang is finally becoming relevant to modern audiences who recognize its illustrious metaphor: the story takes place in Edward Abbey’s beloved American southwest and conveys his strong environmental beliefs.
All in all, these works demonstrate that literature continues to reflect the lessons learned in times gone past and will hopefully leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
