Synopsis

Two men, one who is in love with the other, and their group of friends in New York City, relate the events that lead to the murder of the one. Based on the real murder that involved two friends of the authors.

History

First publication: Grove Press, November 1, 2008

Written by William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac.

Review

Loosely based on real events between two friends of Burroughs and Kerouac (and Ginsberg), this story is a fictionalization of the time period before and immediately after the murder. The writing is told in a spare, straightforward and mostly unemotional style. The book was written in the 40s, Burroughs first novel, possibly Kerouc’s first as well, but it was hidden away and forgotten, to be discovered many years later and published. The book is interesting and the characters come alive. The writing flows from moment to moment well. The only thing is that most of the book is just about this group going to eat, going to bars, looking for work, going to one another’s apartments, getting drunk, and you really don’t see any real emotional connections between anyone. It’s all very matter-of-fact. And they all aren’t that nice or considerate to one another. This isn’t an action novel or a suspense novel or a typical crime novel. So if you are looking for excitement don’t look here. But if you have an interest in Beat literature, this is the collaboration between two of the greatest of that group and offers a look into their days just starting to write.