- Paperback: 122 pages
- Publisher: Picador (9 Oct 1987)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0330300164
- ISBN-13: 978-0330300162
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 1.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 136,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
In French!
I am sure the book is very good but unfortunately when it arrived it was in French! No mention of this anywhere but if you zoom on the front cover you will note that 20th... Read more
Published 6 months ago by mighty pen
Short and Economical With Lots To Say
`Queer' is actually labelled as a love story which is not maybe quite what I would call it, I think a one sided tale of unrequited love might be a more apt description. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by Simon Savidge Reads
CLASSIC
Although Naked Lunch and Junky are great novels, Queer reveals the more human side of Burroughs, where one can actually empathize with the protagonist. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2006 by Pieter
Addictive writing
Although Naked Lunch and Junky are great novels, Queer reveals the more human side of Burroughs, where one can actually empathize with the protagonist. Read more
Published on 24 July 2004 by Pieter
Burroughs still tells a good tale but this is not his best
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,... Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2001 by "headisdead"
Interesting
An interesting and sensitive portrayal of Burroughs sex life at the time.
Published on 1 Jan 2001 by psychonaut-23@disinfo.net
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