Book 2 has been selected. We have chosen Cities Of The Red Night by William S. Burroughs. After his heroin withdrawal inspired novel, Naked Lunch, was published Mailer declared Burroughs the “only American novelist living today who may conceivably be possessed by genius.”. The Naked Lunch stirred up the longest running correspondence in the Times Literary Supplement as critics and public ranted, raved and did everything but agree on the values and qualities of the work.
Old Bull Lee, as he is often known within Kerouac's novels, was the grandson of the inventor of the Burroughs Adding Machine (forerunner of the cash register) and began his writing career close to the age of 40. He lived into his 80s, recorded songs with Kurt Cobain, did Nike ads and wrote works of incredible genius in my opinion. Strikingly funny as well.
Citites of The Red Night was written in the 1980s as the first part of a trilogy and provides a more narratively driven view of Burrough's world than Naked Lunch. It is also highly regarded by many fans. Carefully researched and based on a rennaisance novel form. I am curious to hear if anyone else thinks Douglas Adams read this before writing the Dirk Gently series.
Wiki Plot: The plot of this novel follows Burroughs' usual, erratic path, through time and space. The novel is based on an alternative history; one in which Libertatia, formed by Captain James Mission lives on. His way of life is based on what are called The Articles, a general freedom to live as you like, without prejudice and preconception. The Novel is narrated from two different standpoints; one set in the 18th century which follows a group of pirate boys lead by Noah Blake, who land in South America to liberate it with The Articles. The other is set near present day; following a detective story and the disappearance of an adolescent boy. Drugs play a major part in the novel, as do homosexuality and control. Burroughs' usual characters all have a part in the novel, including Dr Benway and Clem Snide
We'll be discussing this book on February 12th.
