Junky: The Definitive Text of "Junk"

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Summary: there are better books
Review: burroughs' book is immature and extremely outdated (and in fact predated). While his story gets interesting a number of times, there are several books that are grittier, truer, and more poignant to the matter of heroin addiction. This is just another pretentious piece of pulp about a topic already exhausted by many people before his time, and i would say even jim carroll's work (a predecessor indeed) is a step up from this.

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Summary: An amazing account about the real life of a junky.
Review: William Burroughs is known for his "cutting-up" style of novel writing. After reading THE WILD BOYS and NAKED LUNCH, I didn't think Burroughs was anything but a drug induced wannabe writer. Fortunately, I gave the cult icon one more chance and found out there is something to his ability. In JUNKY, Burroughs tells about his life while living under the influence of heroin and other drugs. He takes us all over the world with him and reveals truths about drugs that others ignore. A must read.

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Summary: Old shocker is a classic
Review: Contemporary? -no. Genius? -almost. It isn't Burroughs' style that makes the book but his ability to tell a good story. Sit back and read this one while in rehab.

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Summary: Virtual perfection.
Review: Burroughs is a contemporary genius. How he melds travelling due to need for heroin thus kicking and restarting at the drop of a hat. Very socially conscious and amazingly written. Not as metaphorically political as Naked Lunch, he does the job.

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Summary: Burroghs remains a loveable character throughout
Review: In his factual, autobiographical masterpiece depicting the life one leads on and off "junk", Burroughs bears his soul and sends an informative message about drugs to us all. Although the protaganist is a pathetic mooch who steals from drunks and alienates his wife, one can not help but feel a sense of love for him. That is one of the wonderful things about Burroghs' writing--while describing his life as pond scum, you still like him and feel his pain when off drugs and sympathize his with his unsatiable cravings while on. This book is not pro-drug use, but a rational, scientific look at drug use. It's great!

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Summary: WOW!.....how amazing!
Review: I just finished reading this book and I have to say that it truly fascinated me! The reason why I only gave it four stars is because it does get boring here and there. But worry not because by the end of the book, when Mr. Lee gets to Mexico, it really picks up and the life style of a junky begins to take hold more stongly then the life of a common criminal! Read this book if you are into the whole 'beat generation' or anything that is unusual from the norms we set for ourselves withing this society. It may change some of they way you think!

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Summary: Simply Shocking but extremely well written!
Review: This book is one of those books that shock you and stays with you for ever. It is such an effective book that we may feel compassionate and remorseful about the protagonist's actions. Borroughs' books are legendary and should be always used as a moral lesson for everyone. I advise to read "Queer" (by Borroughs). "Queer" is even more devastating and dramatic.

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Summary: Almost as good as Burgess
Review: One of the few books I have been able to read in years. I do not know of any other writer who has done as much with language as Mr. Burroughs has done here-The fact that this is also a very funny book may pass unnoticed-

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Summary: Burroughs at his finest, better than Naked Lunch.
Review: What can you say about a book that is this confessional? Brilliant? Yes. Spell-Binding? No question. Genius? Well I wouldn't go that far, but most definantly one of the most brilliant works to come out in the 20th centurey. Burroughs leaves little to the imagination in this straight ahead biographical piece. He explains in dark detail the point of each of a junkies waking moments. He describes the unimaginable need for heroin. He describes all the low-life characters he meets in his eternal quest for that beloved fix. In general this is a triumphant of counterculture literature, a must for hop-heads and croakers everywhere.

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Summary: Junky is essential Burroughs.
Review: If you enjoy the beatnik authors, you'll love Burroughs. You should read Junky first; think of it as a textbook guide to Burroughs. Having read Junky everything else of his will make sense. Junky describes Burroughs so well the only way you could get to know him better would be to actually have met him. Remember in reading this book that it is actually more of a autobiography than anything else. Junky explains how it is to be addicted to junk and have it run your life. Once you have read Junky move on to the Naked Lunch or Queer... both will make sense after Junky.