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freakazoidvoid's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I listened to the audiobook after watching the 2024 film. I think the audio version definetly added to the experience, especially with Lees bizzare routines and monologues, as one of my favorite parts of the movie was Daniel Craig’s read of certain lines and his inflection. The book is a different kind of sad, but the same strange, compelling, deeply vulnerable, deeply human story. What else is there to say? Raw and ugly, fleetingly tender. Above all…Queer, in content and form.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Pedophilia
erikawynn's review against another edition
2.0
Wanted to read this after seeing Luca Guadagnino’s movie Queer and the first 3/4 is a really straightforward adaption but with a lot more pedophilia in the Burroughs version. I feel confident saying I’m a Burroughs hater.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Racism
petit_lecteur's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Violence, and Outing
rebeckb's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racial slurs
Moderate: Pedophilia
diamondsequallove25's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Lee is unreliable narrator but I just know he would love dark humor also the writing of William S is beautifully written and I can't wait to pick up another book of his.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
blackbookbitch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this! An incredible exploration of desire and queer identity influenced by Burroughs' own trouble with substances and his interest in the occult. I don't think I've seen anyone write about the ugliness of desire in such a way before and I felt it so deeply and understood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, and Racism
scientistjose's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Racism
tasteofcherrry's review against another edition
1.0
I found almost no appealing or touching parts in this one. I didn’t like the style of prose or the way it uses character perspectives. I didn’t like the lackluster story arc, or any of the underdeveloped characters. Half of this very short book is just people monologuing about random stuff. Upon some research I realize this was a beatnik-esque stylistic choice, however it wasn’t for me. I’ve read modernist works that use stream of consciousness and fluid narration from the late 1800’s, with similar levels of racism, that were heaps more interesting to read.
Lee’s subconscious desire and search for love, connection and understanding is pretty universal– so that was cool I guess. The tragedy of him looking for them in drug-ridden avenues and in relationship dynamics that are inhospitable to true affection. But I never felt like this aspect was what the book focused on, and I couldn’t find it in me to care much.
On top of all of this, this entire novel (that’s set in South America) is written through a vile, nauseating colonial lens. The way non-white people are described and referred to were disgusting. Plus, Lee is literally a pedophile. This isn’t explored in a Nobokov style; we learn this in a throwaway scene. None of these are really related to Lee’s ‘loneliness’ or the effects of his addiction.
I decided to read this before watching the 2024 Luca Guadagnino adaptation, so now I’m quite nervous. I hope he was able to give more depth and nuance to the story and actually have something more substantial to say.
Lee’s subconscious desire and search for love, connection and understanding is pretty universal– so that was cool I guess. The tragedy of him looking for them in drug-ridden avenues and in relationship dynamics that are inhospitable to true affection. But I never felt like this aspect was what the book focused on, and I couldn’t find it in me to care much.
On top of all of this, this entire novel (that’s set in South America) is written through a vile, nauseating colonial lens. The way non-white people are described and referred to were disgusting. Plus, Lee is literally a pedophile. This isn’t explored in a Nobokov style; we learn this in a throwaway scene. None of these are really related to Lee’s ‘loneliness’ or the effects of his addiction.
I decided to read this before watching the 2024 Luca Guadagnino adaptation, so now I’m quite nervous. I hope he was able to give more depth and nuance to the story and actually have something more substantial to say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Racism
linaslzr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I like the introduction which provided more context for the story and also found the appendix interesting, learning about the author's relationship to the manuscript, not having read it for sp many years bc of how traumatic it was.
I found the prose simple but interesting enough. The writing was quite visceral and graphic at times, and really vague others. A bit of weird mix of straightforward narrative and disjointed monologues. I think it did a good job of portraying a really deep sadness, and I guess I did end up feeling some sympathy for him at times. It felt like he was projecteing his desperation, self-deprecation, and bitterness onto his view of the world, which also reflects societal norms, especially for the time that it was written. It felt incomplete which I guess make sense.
I found the prose simple but interesting enough. The writing was quite visceral and graphic at times, and really vague others. A bit of weird mix of straightforward narrative and disjointed monologues. I think it did a good job of portraying a really deep sadness, and I guess I did end up feeling some sympathy for him at times. It felt like he was projecteing his desperation, self-deprecation, and bitterness onto his view of the world, which also reflects societal norms, especially for the time that it was written. It felt incomplete which I guess make sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
xanderelmore's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual content