Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs

This was another eagerly anticipated read due to its renown.  Unfortunately, like many other much hyped works, this was an extreme disappointment.  Actually more than a disappointment and more of an astonishment that it is considered one of the best novels of the 20th century.

As I explained to someone recently, it was like reading Joyce on acid with fewer pages.  This as it turned out, was even more painful than Joyce.  Turning its last page was relief beyond words.

Perhaps it is akin to the drunk who believes in his ability to perform fantastic feats only to awake with inexplicable cuts and bruises and no memory of their origin or the ecstasy user who saw nothing but beauty by night and who awakes, eventually, to the somber grayness of the day.

Pshaw to you naysayers for this is my opinion only and you are entitled to yours.

There were numerous characters; Lee (Burroughs alter), Dr. Benway, Joselito, Clarence, Iris, etc.  All equally repugnant and unsympathetic.

If I were to sit down with Mr. Burroughs, I’d probably choose the elder and hope he’d admit that this work were certainly not his best.  And yes, I am well aware of his passing in 1997, but this is my blog schtick where I imagine a face to face with the author.

My rating for Naked Lunch is a 1 out of 10.

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Next up, John Banville’s The Sea…