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A review by schopenhauers_poodle
Queer by William S. Burroughs
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
An early work from Burroughs about queer longing that still feels contemporary.
I've been going through Burroughs' novels starting with "Junky" which I did not particularly like. "Queer", on the other hand, I found to be a poignant story of frustrated desire. Originally meant to be published with "Junky" as a juxtaposition of need and desire, "Queer" stands on it's own. Where I found "Junky" flat, disjointed, and it's shock value significantly diminished from time and more progressive attitudes, "Queer" was better written & edited, the story vulnerable and emotionally brutal. And despite the introduction's claims, "Queer" has a straightforward narrative with a more developed plot and characters than "Junky." The background of Mexico City and expat life in all it's excesses and abuses was also excellent.
I have yet to see the movie, but if you've never read Burroughs before, be forewarned that his protagonists are not likeable or of upstanding moral character; in fact, they're often pathetic and repugnant. However, that is not a prerequisite for good writing or even relatability to aspects of "Lee." (And skip the introduction if you don't want spoilers.)
Burroughs should have published this one and not waited decades.
I've been going through Burroughs' novels starting with "Junky" which I did not particularly like. "Queer", on the other hand, I found to be a poignant story of frustrated desire. Originally meant to be published with "Junky" as a juxtaposition of need and desire, "Queer" stands on it's own. Where I found "Junky" flat, disjointed, and it's shock value significantly diminished from time and more progressive attitudes, "Queer" was better written & edited, the story vulnerable and emotionally brutal. And despite the introduction's claims, "Queer" has a straightforward narrative with a more developed plot and characters than "Junky." The background of Mexico City and expat life in all it's excesses and abuses was also excellent.
I have yet to see the movie, but if you've never read Burroughs before, be forewarned that his protagonists are not likeable or of upstanding moral character; in fact, they're often pathetic and repugnant. However, that is not a prerequisite for good writing or even relatability to aspects of "Lee." (And skip the introduction if you don't want spoilers.)
Burroughs should have published this one and not waited decades.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Colonisation