Rating: 
Summary: a highly addictive read
Review: In "Naked Lunch," William S. Burroughs used hallucinations, sexuality, and nightmarish imagery to string along a 'plot' that was anything but traditional. While I found the book to be a gripping, thought-provoking read, I was downright surprised at the clear-headedness of "Junky," which is essentially a window into the life of a heroin user, circa early 1950s. Burroughs (as Bill Lee) illustrates his descent into addiction, from his first fix up until his habit builds to staggering proportions; the descriptions of a junkie's daily routine, from shaking down drunks in train stations to eluding police, are done using precise dialogue that incorporates a considerable amount of slang (an informative glossary is included in the book). "Junky" is a hypnotically engrossing read, a book that sucks you into the world of addiction and leaves you clamoring for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Burroughs at his realist best.
Review: Burroughs writes pro-actively and this book is no change. Following Ginsburg 'Semi-compiling" Junky and Queer from letters whilst Burroughs was Opiated up, I knew what to expect. Mexico, The law, Drunk with Guns, Farming cotton, shooting up and New York with the hustlers and pimps in Bars. It's easy to note that Burroughs had an interesting life but experienced through the eye of Junk hazed addiction and vision. Noting anti-estblishment view on matters (namely 'The Junk') which he had first hand experience was not a matter to be taken lightly in 1950's America. This book is accessible and easy to read, the world in Burroughs head is clear and concise. Written in the first person, yuo travel to beat junk time and life with a detail for details. A drugs journey only to be rivaled by Hunter S. Thompson's 'Fear and loathing In Las Vegas', but with a much darker wit.
Rating:
Summary: One of the essential reads of the Beat culture.
Review: One of the most honestly written texts I have ever read. Junky chronicles Borrough's life on the streets of NY as a 'junky'. The vivid and graphic details of how an addicted man makes it through daily life were a very eye opening experience. The story may be time-sensitive because but its basic voice is still as fresh as it was when first conceived by the author. The reading is impressionable during and after. I did not want to put the book down during the read. After I was done, I had this bitter taste of junk in my mouth. That is enough said for Borrough's effectiveness as a writer.
Rating:
Summary: a highly addictive read
Review: In "Naked Lunch," William S. Burroughs used hallucinations, sexuality, and nightmarish imagery to string along a 'plot' that was anything but traditional. While I found the book to be a gripping, thought-provoking read, I was downright surprised at the clear-headedness of "Junky," which is essentially a window into the life of a heroin user, circa early 1950s. Burroughs (as Bill Lee) illustrates his descent into addiction, from his first fix up until his habit builds to staggering proportions; the descriptions of a junkie's daily routine, from shaking down drunks in train stations to eluding police, are done using precise dialogue that incorporates a considerable amount of slang (an informative glossary is included in the book). "Junky" is a hypnotically engrossing read, a book that sucks you into the world of addiction and leaves you clamoring for more.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Tale of Herion Abuse by a User
Review: William S. Burroughs. I can honestly say I appreciated this book when I read it, for the chance to see the inside of a "hard" drug abuser's stand on things, without taking to the needle myself... I agree with the other reviewer, whereas Burroughs does nothing to encourage drug use with this book, but rather explains certain causes and effects that pertain to users. 'Junky' is autobiographical of Burroughs' life, which is easily detected in the clarity he recalls events - not so much as a character telling a story, but how the deal REALLY went down. This book reminded me about another drug related book called 'Crack House,' but that was more of a documentary style book. The author of that was an outsider, not a user, but accepted in the house as he observed the crack junkies. William S. gives you the inside view. While I don't recommend the needle, I would recommend this book as an alternative. If you must succumb to the call of the needle, read this book first, and get an idea of what you're getting into. yo.
Rating: 
Summary: charming but is it a true reflection?
Review: I read this book several years ago and enjoyed the narrative style that Burroughs employed (a break from his cut up style).
For a tale of drug addiction its quite a leisurely read, though at the mercy of heroin William Seeward manages to do a lot of travelling and in certain respects this book is almost like reading the journal of an explorer or frontier man. That in itself is good but I think a more accurate reflection of the junkies experience is probably Wayne Grogan's recent 'Junky Pigrim' - that is truly bleak stuff full of all the brutal realities of junk sickness - it makes this book seem like a Disney fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: Spitting at the Junk-Sick Dawn
Review: I have to say this is the best drugprevention leaflet I have ever read. Sure Bill had some fun as well, but mostly he was sick, broke and in jail. And always looking for the next fix. Burroughs describes the lows and highs of a junkie's life, and reveals the process of addiction, in such a painstakingly detailed manner there really is no need left to ever go there yourself. My favorite scene is the one in which the heroin has left him so constipated he has to reach in with his fingers and pull 'it' out. This book is nowhere near as good as Burroughs' later work, but check it out anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Pulp FACT-ion at its best
Review: There were lots of books and stories published in the '40s and '50s that purported to be written by drug addicts. Most of them were in actuality probably written by hacks looking for a quick buck. Therein lies the root of this book's greatness: it is the real thing, written by a real addict who neither glorifies nor condemns the addict lifestyle. Burroughs is very matter-of-fact in his narration, but his lifestyle is so weird and interesting that this lack of experimentation is actually welcome. The whole thing reads like a sordid article that might have ran in an alternate universe edition of TRUE DETECTIVE magazine circa 1952, one written and edited by smart criminals instead of cops. The term "pulp fiction" is now used to conjure visions of the dark side of America in the '40s and '50s, but usually limited to a detective's perspective. JUNKY goes that concept one better by presenting pulp FACT-ion told from the perspective of the underworld. This new edition with restored text is most welcome except for one thing, the horribly stupid and ugly cover art. I can't believe the decisions made by art directors in modern cover art; most of it is simply atrocious. The original (1952) cover should have been used. It is as lurid and vivid as the book's dark interior.
Rating:
Summary: Junky
Review: Junky is a very strong book and very fast paced. I hope it helps at least one person to stay off of drugs by seeing the unglamorous side of it. People and families get hurt. This book was very similar to another book I read on Heroin abuse. That book is called "This Ain't No Pocket Diary" Like Burroughs, Raul Maldonado the author of this book writes a journal of his life as a heroine addict for over 10 years. Goes to show you how horrible drug addiction really is. Both of these books are worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Like getting hit with a pipe and liking it.!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This book is just hard hitting as they come. William S. Burroughs does not paint a pretty romantic picture of drug use. He shows the destructive nature through is own actions in this biography. This book goes into all aspects of opiate addiction including loss of lobeedo, total lack of higene and self respect. This book is about scoring and the despreate naked dirty need of a junkie. This book mesmerized me as it horrifed with its narritive. One of the most truthful autobiographical looks at drug use in its most desprate form. From theft to fooling doctors into prescriptions Burrows commits many crimes, the worst of which is his own self distruction. I like the book for not being a defense or a cautionary tail, just a graphic story which makes you see the results with your own eyes this isn't a joy read it is quite enlightnening, it is easy to finish because even the pain of Burroughs experience draws you into the inexpicablity of the actions of a true addict. This is well written direct and not beat poetry stream of consousness like so much of Burrough work is. This is being a junky.
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