Leo Percepied, an ambitious writer and self-proclaimed free spirit, is drawn to "the Subterraneans," a group of impoverished intellectuals who frequent the bars of San Francisco. Among them is Mardou Fox, a woman of mixed heritage—part African-American, part Cherokee. She is beautiful and has a slightly mad streak. Her dark eyes, filled with a mixture of sorrow and sweetness, are recognized by Leo. Nevertheless, fearing his ever-deepening involvement, Leo tries to destroy their love through betrayal and drunkenness. With a combination of exuberance and melancholy, Kerouac's spontaneous, rhythmic prose flows through the pages. Written in just three days, "The Subterraneans," like all of Kerouac's work, closely reflects his own life while also embodying his grand vision for America.