Queer

by William S. Burroughs

Genres: Queer

Paperback

Published November 25, 2010

About the author

William Seward Burroughs II, (also known by his pen name William Lee) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, painter, and spoken word performer.
A primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th century".
His influence is considered to have affected a range of popular culture as well as literature. Burroughs wrote 18 novels and novellas, six collections of short stories and four collections of essays.
Five books have been published of his interviews and correspondences. He also collaborated on projects and recordings with numerous performers and musicians, and made many appearances in films.
He was born to a wealthy family in St. Louis, Missouri, grandson of the inventor and founder of the Burroughs Corporation, William Seward Burroughs I, and nephew of public relations manager Ivy Lee. Burroughs began writing essays and journals in early adolescence. He left home in 1932 to attend Harvard University, studied English, and anthropology as a postgraduate, and later attended medical school in Vienna. After being turned down by the Office of Strategic Services and U.S. Navy in 1942 to serve in World War II, he dropped out and became afflicted with the drug addiction that affected him for the rest of his life, while working a variety of jobs. In 1943 while living in New York City, he befriended Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, the mutually influential foundation of what became the countercultural movement of the Beat Generation.
Much of Burroughs's work is semi-autobiographical, primarily drawn from his experiences as a heroin addict, as he lived throughout Mexico City, London, Paris, Berlin, the South American Amazon and Tangier in Morocco. Finding success with his confessional first novel, Junkie (1953), Burroughs is perhaps best known for his third novel Naked Lunch (1959), a controversy-fraught work that underwent a court case under the U.S. sodomy laws. With Brion Gysin, he also popularized the literary cut-up technique in works such as The Nova Trilogy (1961–64). In 1983, Burroughs was elected to the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, and in 1984 was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France. Jack Kerouac called Burroughs the "greatest satirical writer since Jonathan Swift", a reputation he owes to his "lifelong subversion" of the moral, political and economic systems of modern American society, articulated in often darkly humorous sardonicism. J. G. Ballard considered Burroughs to be "the most important writer to emerge since the Second World War", while Norman Mailer declared him "the only American writer who may be conceivably possessed by genius".
Burroughs had one child, William Seward Burroughs III (1947-1981), with his second wife Joan Vollmer. Vollmer died in 1951 in Mexico City. Burroughs was convicted of manslaughter in Vollmer's death, an event that deeply permeated all of his writings. Burroughs died at his home in Lawrence, Kansas, after suffering a heart attack in 1997.

Reviews

[Gedsar Matamoros · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Re-read

[Gloria Bolognesi · Rating 3 out of 5]

carino???? I guess????

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ja, ich hab dit zweimal dieses jahr gelesen.
einmal frz einmal englisch zumindest!

[Kyran Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

After loving the film I thought I’d check out the book and tbh think I preferred the film! Giving Allerton moments of introspection in the book made him feel less unattainable and I think the reworked ending is a lot better in the film - where in this one it simply ends?

[Chris Everard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my third immersion into the pages of this book before experiencing its cinematic adaptation by Luca Guadagnino. With every reading, a new gem emerges, as the novella unfurls like a stunning tapestry, spun with raw emotion and deep existential musings. It’s a masterful display of the author’s extraordinary talent in delving into the human psyche. Against the vibrant and pulsating backdrop of Mexico City, this story weaves a spell, narrating a poignant tale of yearning and self-discovery that inspires and utterly captivates me with every read.
“Queer” is filled with Burroughs’ unique style - sharp, direct, and unashamedly honest. His writing has a rhythmic intensity that pulls us into a maze of emotional complexity. Burroughs’ talent for portraying the human condition without hiding its flaws is both impressive and inspiring.
Written during a time of personal change for Burroughs himself, “Queer” offers a semi-autobiographical glimpse into his battles with identity and sexuality. This adds a rich layer of authenticity and rawness to the story, making us feel even more connected to its themes.
In short, “Queer” is a testament to Burroughs’ remarkable ability to capture the essence of human experience in all its flawed beauty, earning it profound admiration and a lasting impact.

[Diego Reyes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Allerton real af