Queer: A Novel by William S. Burroughs Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Queer: A Novel
Book Review: Sensitive and provocative
Summary: 4 Stars
Together with junky, Queer is the most accessible book Burroughs has written. They are his two first works, although Queer was not published until 1985, due to its dealings with homosexuality.These two books are probably those texts where Burroughs is most connected with the Bet Generation, even if he is said to have been one o the Founding Fathers for the movement, together with Kerouac and Ginsberg. They were written before his cut-up method was created and are quite traditional in their narrative structure.
Queer is the sequel to Junky, where we hear what happens to William Lee in Mexico. The story deals with Lee trying to get off drugs and on to boys, but things do not always turn out that way. However, in comparison with Junky we hear very little about drugs and a lot about homosexual acts.
All in all, a good book, with Burroughs telling his stories as only he can do it. If you enjoy his later works, this book is an interesting iew of how he wrote before and how many of the same themes are still explicit already here.
Book Review: Interesting
Summary: 5 Stars
An interesting and sensitive portrayal of Burroughs sex life at the time.Book Review: BRILLIANT WRITING
Summary: 5 Stars
The 1985 introduction by the author is very poignant and valuable for a clear understanding of the novel. Especially the admission that it was the accidental death of his wife by his own hand that motivated and formulated his writing. Although Junky is great, Queer reveals a more human side to his work where one can actually empathize with the main character. His descriptions of Mexico City in the late 1940s and his circle of friends, many of whom were fellow American expatriates, lend a special air of magic to the writing. The flashes of humour are always unique and refreshing, eg. the amusing story of his fantasy trip to the "Upper Ubangi." A brilliant work whose many charms I intend to delve into again and again.Book Review: Burroughs still tells a good tale but this is not his best
Summary: 4 Stars
Queer is a story of love and Mexico City, filled with the usual lyrical prose of William Burroughs. I read it in one session, bewitched throughout the evening, but in my opinion, Queer is far from his best work.The love story is told with a typically unorthodox approach, and this book could be told from a sentimentally romantic point of view. This is Burroughs' genius - the book is written from a very realistic perspective, and the slightly lacking depth seems symptomatic of the addict lover.
BUT, do not be fooled into buying some great beat love story, for Queer is, for all intents and purposes, a mediocre book when compared to say Junky or Naked Lunch. What the book does do is give us great insight into the mind and emotions of Burroughs himself, and he still made me reel with laughter when talking about Eastern mysticism.
All in all, a good read, but despite its being an example of his clearest prose, I would not recommend it to a Burroughs virgin purely because I personally feel the earlier books can show a reader his true avant garde magic.
Book Review: Sad love story.
Summary: 5 Stars
As other reviewers already have pointed out, this book is in no way "typical Burroughs" - actully it's completely the oposite of "typical Burroughs". I found this to be THE most harrowing story of doomed love I had read when I first picked it up, about 8 years ago - and I still haven't found anything that beats it for sheer feel-bad effect. It might not break your heart, but it will sure make you feel lousy; a great read.