The Adding Machine
Product ID: 190730900
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"Sheer pleasure. . . . Wonderfully entertaining."— Chicago Sun-Times Acclaimed by Norman Mailer more than twenty years ago as "possibly the only American writer of genius," William S. Burroughs has produced a body of work unique in our time. In these scintillating essays, he writes wittily and wisely about himself, his interests, his influences, his friends and foes. He offers candid and not always flattering assessments of such diverse writers as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Joseph Conrad, Graham Greene, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Samuel Beckett, and Marcel Proust. He ruminates on science and the often dubious paths into which it seems intent on leading us, whether into outer or inner space. He reviews his reviewers, explains his famous "cut-up" method, and discusses the role coincidence has played in his life and work. As satirist and parodist, William Burroughs has no peer, as these varied works, written over three decades, amply reveal. Review: Great book of essays - Good mix of essays on history, philosophy, movies, writing, writers, drugs, and science. Some humorous, some serious, all brilliant. Review: PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO WILLIAM BURRROUGHS - Fine collection of William Burroughs cogent often comic essays on broad lit of subjects. Perfect introduction to his work.This second edition of a book first published in 1986 includes substantial introduction by Burroughs' amanuensis, Grauerholz (2013).
| Best Sellers Rank | #803,856 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2,862 in Essays (Books) #6,367 in Fiction Satire #8,389 in Writing Reference |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 38 Reviews |
S**R
Great book of essays
Good mix of essays on history, philosophy, movies, writing, writers, drugs, and science. Some humorous, some serious, all brilliant.
V**S
PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO WILLIAM BURRROUGHS
Fine collection of William Burroughs cogent often comic essays on broad lit of subjects. Perfect introduction to his work.This second edition of a book first published in 1986 includes substantial introduction by Burroughs' amanuensis, Grauerholz (2013).
A**R
great book.
thank you, it was on time, great book.
K**E
Probably the best book to introduce someone to Burroughs mind and writing
Burroughs is probably my favorite writer and free thinker so you won't get a neutral review. It's a book of his essays and they touch on everything from creative reading,various techniques,theories in a slew of topics. I would definitely suggest this to anyone that wants to get into burroughs and/or understand his wide intellect.
T**T
All good.
Item delivered on stated day/time. As for the text Burroughs is Burroughs.
A**R
Ubu Roo
One of William Burroughs’ essential collection of essays.
A**R
Brilliant essays by el hombre invisible
Tom Robbins has often been called the most dangerous writer alive. Well, Burroughs may just be the most dangerous writer since Joyce. In these essays, Burroughs' humour is incisive and acerbic and as sardonic as ever.. as Kerouac once said he is the greatest satirist since Jonathan Swift.. I think Burroughs' analysis of Beckett and Proust was spot on - Beckett is somehow cold and aloof while Proust is not only someone who is a master of French prose but someone who has stamped such unforgettable characters indelibly into French letters. Burroughs' essay on Kerouac was both sharp and wistful, with WSB reminiscing about their collaboration on "and the hippos were boiled in their tanks" after the Kammerer murder. My favourite essay was his "review of the reviewers" which is scathing and accurate. All the essays are fantastic. This would be a great place to start with Burroughs to discover the true diamonds of his mind fully unleashed.
R**N
Burroughs was an experimental fiction writer, not best with strait forward prose
The essays werent great. No fantasmagoria. Dry, which is not good for a guy like burroughs. I read it to be a completist. Actually, i think the best pieces in his essays are said in his fiction, too. The Job, burroughs' interview with a french journalist, is an excellent summary of his philosophy and thought. Go for that.
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