Today is the birthday of William S. Burroughs
I'm reminded of this fact, by the always fascinating site Band of Thebes, who give an overview of his queer-ness (is that a word?)
I've only read one of his books, I'm ashamed to say, the late The Western Lands, and didn't much take to it, and try as I might, I've never been able to get through Naked Lunch. Maybe one day.
Anyway,he's a fellow westbanker.
Well, for a while at least.
Back in the late 40's he and his wife and young son moved to Algiers Point...sometime before he shot her. Just a bit of time on the Westbank can do that to a person. Neal Cassady and Kerouac visited him here, so it seems.
One day, when I get a camera, I intend to get a photo of that house. Actually, I'm getting together a tour of sorts....well, in my mind at least.
7 comments:
You're not kidding. I lived on the Westbank for four months, and I was damned near ready to shoot someone by the time we moved.
What's this week's title design from?
See if you can guess.
There's a hint in my list of interests somewhere.
I read Naked Lunch in college and was very confused.
The movie didn't really help relieve my confusion.
I want to like William S. Burroughs, I'm just not sure how.
that's exactly how I feel too, FP.
I *want* to like him...but...
He also lived in Metairie for a while, before he moved to Mexico. At least according to a collection I read of his correspondence with Allen Ginsberg.
I tried reading Naked Lunch, The Wild Boys and Cut-Up. Although I think he's cool as hell, I dont enjoy reading his stuff. The above mentioned collection of letters was cool though.
(if you're interested: http://tinyurl.com/2h2uua )
Check out "Junkie". It's short and easy to read (unlike Naked Lunch).
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