Queer

By: William S. Burroughs

Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith, Andrew Garman, Various

Set in Mexico City during the early 50s, Queer follows William Lee's hopeless pursuit of desire from bar to bar in the American expatriate scene. As Lee breaks down, the trademark Burroughsian voice emerges; a maniacal mix of self-lacerating humor and the Ugly American at his ugliest. Burroughs' only realist love story, Queer is a haunting tale of possession and exorcism.

©2010 William S. Burroughs (P)2013 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"Burroughs is the greatest satirical writer since Jonathan Swift" (Jack Kerouac)

"A roller-coaster ride through hell, a safari to the strangest people of the strangest planet - ourselves... sit back and gorge yourself on this feast of a novel." (J. G. Ballard on Naked Lunch)

The ugly spirit.

So glad Queer is finally available on Audible. A short book but extremely impactful. This book gives deep insight into Burroughs life, like the introduction says Junky was his book off love and Queer is his book on love. His unrequited love for Camerer is laid bare here. Seeing Burroughs desperately pining for Camerer’s attention and love that would not be reciprocated hit as Burroughs were to say “like a mainline shot, settling in the lungs and heart”. Having been in similar relationships were you are the one who wants someone’s love so badly you compromise your own spirit in an attempt to get it. Gripping and sad. I also love Burroughs’ routines that he uses like an overcoat of personality to shield himself from seeming to vulnerable to disastrous effects.