Desolation Angels is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac, which makes up part of his Duluoz Legend. It was published in 1965, but was written years earlier, around the time On the Road was in the process of publication. The events described in the novel take place from 1956-1957. Much of the psychological struggle which the novel's protagonist, Jack Duluoz, undergoes in the novel reflects Kerouac's own increasing disenchantment with the Buddhist philosophy. Throughout the novel, Kerouac discusses his disenchantment with fame, and complicated feelings towards the Beat Generation. He also discusses his relationship with his mother and his friends (and prominent Beat figures) such as Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady, Lucienn Carr and William S. Burroughs. The novel is also notable for being a relatively positive portrayal of homosexuality and homosexual characters, despite its use of words that were at the time considered homophobic slurs. Character key All of Kerouac's Duluoz legend's characters were based on others that were present within his life, and Desolation Angels is no exception. Kerouac was not particularly conscientious about masking the identities of his friends in this work. In Chapter 43 of Book 1, he refers to "...the Sundays in Neal Cassady's writings..." The editors may have ignored this, since it refers to Neal as a writer instead of a friend. In Chapter 80, the discussion of the meanings of Urso and Pomeray's names leads to an unclear comparison to the name Corso. Partway through Chapter 91 of Book 1, there is the line, "'Who wants to ride freight trains!' -Gregory- 'I dont dig all this crap where you ride freight trains and have to exchange butts with bums-'". Somehow both Kerouac and the editors missed that "Gregory" was not changed to "Raphael". Similarly, the locals of Tangiers call Old Bull Hubbard (Burroughs) "Boorows" in Chapter 52 of Book 2. In Chapter 5 of Book 2 the proprietor of a corner store in Tangiers is said to call Old Bull Gaines (Garver) "Senor Gahr-va". Interestingly, multiple books or poems written by the characters were based on real-life books, written by the character's real-life counterpart. For example, Kerouac's On the Road is referred to as "Road [by Jack Duluoz]", William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch is referred to as "Nude Breakfast [by Bull Hubbard]", and Allen Ginsberg's Howl is referred to as "Howling [by Irwin Garden]" There is also a reference to