Definitely worth reading for "The Green Automobile" and "Dream Record". A general knowledge of the beats will explain why. "Siesta in Xbalba" and "On Definitely worth reading for "The Green Automobile" and "Dream Record". A general knowledge of the beats will explain why. "Siesta in Xbalba" and "On Burroughs' Work" were also good.
"Aether" killed the collection for me, sadly, and brought the rating down. All in all not Ginsberg's best, but still worth looking at for the above mentioned poems....more
Well, this book was a bit of a mess. I honestly didn't like it, but have given it two stars because - well - there were a few moments that were good iWell, this book was a bit of a mess. I honestly didn't like it, but have given it two stars because - well - there were a few moments that were good in it at least.
The problem I had with this book was the overall lack of character development. While Crusie's protagonist did evolve over the course of the book, the male 'lead' didn't. And the fellow in the swamp? Honestly? I still don't know what he was doing there, and I already finished the book.
The book was a wash, but I'll probably read the other collaborations these two did anyway. The books are fun, and I adore Crusie's wit....more
This book is mildly ridiculous by any standard. Neal Cassady is something of an unsung legend nowadays. The inspiration for Jack Kerouac's well-remeThis book is mildly ridiculous by any standard. Neal Cassady is something of an unsung legend nowadays. The inspiration for Jack Kerouac's well-remembered Dean Moriarty, Cassady was the fuel that ignited the fire of the Beat movement. He was admired for his rapid-fire style, his mad adventures, and his boundless enthusiasm. Which is ridiculous, as I said before, as the first half of this book plods horribly.
That isn't to say this isn't interesting.
Cassady paints a vibrant picture of the time in which he lived. His concerns are, likewise, the concerns of any poor boy growing up in the 20s and 30s. The book really shines once the story truly gets going, which sadly is where it then stops. Thankfully, the letters and excerpts that pepper the back-end of the book are a welcome change from his restricted narrative style.
A must read for any fans of the Beats, if they'd care to get an idea for just how the movement itself came into being....more
Hunter S. Thompson lived with the Angels for over a year, recording their thoughts and witnessing their lifestyle. In this book he takes an objective Hunter S. Thompson lived with the Angels for over a year, recording their thoughts and witnessing their lifestyle. In this book he takes an objective look at the world in which they live and the people who populated the outlaw clubs of the time, as well as their successors by the late 60s/early 70s and how the scene was changing.
The book is fascinating, at times horrifying, and overall seems to be a fitting testimony to the circles in which the outlaws thrive and the way in which the media and popular culture handles them. The book was difficult to get through only in the way in which reading about such a lifestyle is difficult to get through. It is at times incredible to consider that such a society exists somewhere in our own.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious in learning about the outlaws and I look forward to reading Thompson's other works....more
At first I was skeptical. This book was titled Junky after all and was being recommended/lent to me by someone Thank you, thank you, thank you Selene!
At first I was skeptical. This book was titled Junky after all and was being recommended/lent to me by someone who had earlier reassured me that William S. Burroughs was indeed the most amoral of the altogether quite amoral beats. Beyond this, she promised, that the beats were in fact quite wary of him and his strange...ways.
Legend upon legend was repeated to me by her and pretty soon I was as intrigued by this as I was strangely disgusted. I simply had to read this book.
Junky, needless to say, was altogether quite different than I expected. Although I did find it mildly difficult to get through the Introduction (which goes into deep detail of the publishing of Junk(y) and the problems thusly encountered, the text itself was simply incredible.
Burroughs weaved a tale of the singular junkie aspect of his life in such a way that leaves you wanting more. His prose is that of the hardboiled detective sum con man, and his story is that of legendary proportions. The pictures he paints of New York and Mexico are altogether priceless (though I gotta agree that the brief Rio Valley section was a bit of a drag).
All in all, man, what a heavy book. I can't wait to get through some more of his writing. THANK YOU SELENE!...more
As previous reviews have duly noted this book is somewhat difficult to get through. As the title (byline?) states, this is a collection of the lettersAs previous reviews have duly noted this book is somewhat difficult to get through. As the title (byline?) states, this is a collection of the letters that Neal (Kerouac's Dean Moriarty) composed (primarily) to his wife during his time in prison. I feel the need to warn as others have -- this is NOT for the big ole Dean Moriarty fans as the person portrayed here is an older Neal who seems almost embarassed by the picture of him that Kerouac's made famous. This is a book that is more for the discerning reader, or more for the completist, almost, of Cassady's life. This is not to say the book is uninteresting.
Grace Beats Karma is a fascinating look into what becomes of a self-loathing degenerate. It paints a picture of Neal in his most vulnerable times, insecure and embarrassed, almost wanton in his need for attention and awash in the deepest of guilt. He's a man who is painfully aware of his shortcomings and fast realizing there is no getting away from them. It is interesting to see the change in him, and sad to read these knowing what comes of him in the end. ...more
Hilary "Fox"
>
Books:
beat
(8)
