As stated, the vast consensus is that Kerouac was a lousy poet.

However, as turnabout is fair play, let's look at what Vuong is saying. He's making a very nonsubtle observation. It's basically a bit of hack writing in that he took the easiest example he could find. It's like saying Shirley Temple was a lousy basketball player.

Perhaps Vuong's a better poet than he is a writer.