William Burroughs Ate My Cut Ups

In my late teens I meandered away from set reading texts into the worlds of Salinger, Kafka, Nin, 'The Dice Man', Miller, Kerouac, Heller et al. Although I have since followed the river back to its tributary source - the British Gothic Novel - one writer still disturbs and disorientates me on numerous levels, whether it be literary, sexual or spiritual.

William Burroughs.

A writer so revered by David Bowie that he copied Burrough's 'cut up' writing style, as explained here in this foreign documentary.

YouTube - William Burroughs cut ups

Burroughs' isn't just a genius because he pioneered a new style of writing. He was a genius because he was a damned good writer.

'Junkie' is the worst place to start with Burroughs. Opt for something like 'Cities Of The Red Night' - hit the man when he was on top of his game - and then study the early pieces by way of scholarliness.

JK