This is the first volume of letters from William Burroughs, covering the years 1945-1959. The letters are entertaining and revealing, placing Burroughs' work in the context of an extraordinary life (J.G. Ballard once commented that Burroughs' life was more extreme than his writing) and Burroughs himself in the context of a decade and a half of momentous cultural change. Burroughs' circle at this time were the prime movers and shakers of the soon-to-be-realized Beat movement including Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady and Brion Gysin. Throughout this period, writing letters was one of only two constant habits in Burroughs' life the other was heroin. Addiction was an abiding preoccupation, conferring an outsider status reinforced by his homosexuality (illegal in those days). Thus his life was one of constant movement - Texas, New Orleans, Mexico City, Tangiers and Paris. Letter writing was central to Burroughs' fictional process, it acted as a catalyst and he used his letters as an author notebook, much being cannibalized and used in his fiction. Many of his letters read like the "routines" which later appear in books such as "Naked Lunch". These letters are a key element to
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002314362
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Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR003375641
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Seller: Harry Alter, Sylva, NC, U.S.A.
paperback, Condition: Good, Picador, London, c.1994, 2nd.trade paperbk.prtg. 472pp., crease to spine, slightly yellowed, G $. Seller Inventory # 95390
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Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Seller Inventory # wbs3105183027
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Soft cover. Condition: Good. Paperback in good condition. Marking to spine. Inside pages are clean. Seller Inventory # 107034
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Seller: Ammareal, Morangis, France
Softcover. Condition: Bon. Ancien livre de bibliothèque. Traces d'usure sur la couverture. Ammareal reverse jusqu'à 15% du prix net de cet article à des organisations caritatives. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Book Condition: Used, Good. Former library book. Signs of wear on the cover. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this item's net price to charity organizations. Seller Inventory # E-604-824
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Seller: Dial-A-Book, NARRABEEN, NSW, Australia
8vo softcover 472pp index. good. This is the first volume of letters from William Burroughs, covering the years 1945-1959. The letters are entertaining and revealing, placing Burroughs' work in the context of an extraordinary life (J.G. Ballard once commented that Burroughs' life was more extreme than his writing) and Burroughs himself in the context of a decade and a half of momentous cultural change. Burroughs' circle at this time were the prime movers and shakers of the soon-to-be-realized Beat movement including Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady and Brion Gysin. Throughout this period, writing letters was one of only two constant habits in Burroughs' life the other was heroin. Addiction was an abiding preoccupation, conferring an outsider status reinforced by his homosexuality (illegal in those days). Thus his life was one of constant movement - Texas, New Orleans, Mexico City, Tangiers and Paris. Letter writing was central to Burroughs' fictional process, it acted as a catalyst and he used his letters as an author notebook, much being cannibalized and used in his fiction. Seller Inventory # 32919
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Seller: Wormhole Books, Kunyung, VIC, Australia
Paperback. Condition: Good+. Reprint (15th). xl, 472 pp. Light edgewear to wraps. Impression of 1" indentation to front cover near fore edge is carried through onto margins of first 35 or so pages -- neither wraps nor pages are torn. Top and fore edges darkly tanned. Remainder mark to lower edge. Internally clean and solidly bound. Seller Inventory # ak0509
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