Junky

Discover the stark reality of addiction with William S. Burroughs' 'Junky', a seminal work that delves into the tumultuous world of heroin culture. This gripping narrative, presented by Penguin Modern Classics, offers readers a deeply personal and autobiographical look at drug dependency. Burroughs' candid storytelling navigates through the gritty streets of New York, New Orleans, and Mexico City, portraying an unfiltered view of life in the American post-war drug underground. The powerful prose reflects the relentless cycle of addiction, with themes of recovery, relapse, and survival woven throughout its 208 pages.

Edited with a thoughtful introduction by Oliver Harris, this B-format paperback edition of 'Junky' is a must-have for literary collectors and those curious about the Beat Generation's impact on literature and culture. Whether you're a scholar of modern American literature or simply a fan of raw, honest storytelling, Burroughs' work stands as an influential classic that continues to resonate today.

Burroughs, a pivotal figure in the global literary landscape, challenged societal norms and artistic boundaries through his unapologetic exploration of taboo topics. If you appreciated 'Junky', you may also find value in his other iconic texts like 'Exterminator!'. Experience the unfiltered narrative that shaped generations of writers and remains a cultural touchstone in discussions about addiction, identity, and freedom.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780141189826
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2009
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 208


Description:
A shocking expose of the desperate subculture surrounding heroin addiction, William S. Burroughs' Junky is edited with an introduction by Oliver Harris in Penguin Modern Classics.
Burroughs' first novel, a largely autobiographical account of the constant cycle of drug dependency, cures and relapses, remains the most unflinching, unsentimental account of addiction ever written. Through junk neighbourhoods in New York, New Orleans and Mexico City, through time spent kicking, time spent dealing and time rolling drunks for money, through junk sickness and a sanatorium, Junky is a field report (by a writer trained in anthropology at Harvard) from the American post-war drug underground. Nurtured into being by fellow Beat Generation guru Allen Ginsberg, Junky is a cult classic that has influenced generations of writers with its raw, sparse and unapologetic tone. This definitive edition painstakingly recreates the author's original text word for word.
In work and in life, William S. Burroughs (1914-1997) expressed a constant subversion of the morality, politics and economics of modern America. To escape those conditions, and in particular his treatment as a homosexual and a drug-user, Burroughs left his homeland in 1950, and soon after began writing. By the time of his death he was widely recognised as one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the twentieth century. His numerous books include Naked Lunch, Junky, Queer, Nova Express, Interzone, The Wild Boys, The Ticket That Exploded and The Soft Machine.
If you enjoyed Junky, you might like Burroughs' Exterminator!, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.
'Reads today as fresh and unvarnished as it ever has'
Will Self


This product has FREE shipping however combined shipping for other products is not available with this item. Please allow up to 10 days for shipping.