I’ve made it to page 40 or thereabouts (and that’s 40 pages plus 14 of the deposition) out of only 254 total (and that should be minus about 15 for an appendix) and I just can’t take it anymore.
I can get by the language and the rather disgusting description but I honestly don’t see enough good in the work–good story, writing, impact, anything–to make my reading it worth my while. It sounds more like the random ravings of a junkie–which I am assuming it is–and less of any kind of classic literary piece that I just can’t take the time to dig deep to find the value that has stamped it as such. It’s shock value has long since expired, and there’s just not enough (and I’m being polite) fine writing to save its reputation.
So there. I’m afraid I’m moving on to something more interesting and will be announcing a new selection shortly.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
I loved Naked Lunch, but I was 14 when I read it.
I really don’t think it can be read straight through, like a novel.
I remember it being fragmented, but also hilarious.
It had a huge impact on me. Of course, I was only a kid though. Try his essays before giving up on him.
I think that the book for its time was likely explosive and offered a new honesty and style. Since then, the form has been refined by others to have gone beyond its nature so that in retrospect, it’s just not as powerful.
I feel guilty putting it back on the shelf, and have not removed the bookmark. That tells me that I do indeed intend to try it out again, so thanks for the suggestions!