The Wild Boys: A Book of the Dead (Burroughs, William S.)

"The Wild Boys" is Burroughs' strangest novel-- and that's saying something. It may also be his saddest book, as from a writer's standpoint one can almost feel the depression, pain, guilt, fatigue and malaise pouring from the words within the pages within the binding of the book. I think that may be why it's subtitled "A Book of the Dead."Difficult to explain in terms of a linear "plot," or "narrative," William Burroughs takes us down what can only be described as a "lucid nightmare," describing in graphic detail a post-apocalyptic vision of the then-future in the late 1980s. Society has collapsed, everything is in chaos in one way or another. Mexico has been reduced to shantytowns, the suburbs of the Northeast United States are abandoned, left to be scavenged by the book's title characters the Wild Boys, feral boys who travel across continent wreaking havoc wherever they go. Entire armies try to stop them and fail.We move from Mexico to the far North, somewhere in Alaska, where the last outposts of mankind who do business with the Orient dwell, then fly like angels across the sky and see the last fortified cities where the remnants of civilization are oppressed and enslaved by the control machines. Are you following me? If not, that's okay-- it's not for everybody. This one's for the dreamers, the shamans, the street preachers, those who sit at restaurants in the middle of the night and write down the what voices in their heads are saying in a desperate stream of consciousness. If you look at this book from the point of view of reading someone's dream (or nightmare) maybe you'll get it.Someone once told me they tried to listen to Burroughs read his work and they didn't understand what he was talking about. I think part of it is a generational thing and although I am not lucky enough to be part of the Beat generation, I feel connected to it, somehow and I know Burroughs was a deeply troubled man who took his wrath out on the pages of the stories he wrote which is the most constructive way I can think of. It wasn't written using the old 'cut-up' technique utilized in some of Burroughs' previous works like "Naked Lunch" and the Nova Trilogy, which makes it a lot more accessible to someone new to Burroughs.While not as good as "Cities of the Red Night" or even "Queer," I think there's a special place on every Burroughs fan's bookshelf for "The Wild Boys."

If you're already a huge fan of William S. Burroughs, then you know what to expect here. Disorganized plot, expendable characters, and graphic depictions of everyday life. I will say however, I found that this book of his, is certainly more straight forward than most of his work. Although, I don't find this work to be his best material, it's a good read of you're craving more Beat Literature and insight to the wild mind that was in Burroughs' head. I would read his most well known works first, like "Junky" and "Naked Lunch" before you dive into this if you're new to Burroughs but this is worth getting into eventually.

A square - a story inside other stories - the interaction of ghosts with the living - and the living with being reborn.This was the first Burroughs I'd read. It read like a series of short stories connected like a poem. Burroughs language flows then stutters and then squares back on itself. The way he experiments with the sound and repetition of words - was exciting and something I find I do in my own writing.I found myself keeping track of themes - St. Louis, and green (Greenbaum, Green Inn, Green Nun, Greenfield, Green Hat), and a constant reference to 1920. I haven't read much biography on Burroughs; that should come next.Burroughs exploration of a future that becomes more primitive even as it advances, his unabashed and open erotic descriptions as a consequence of his future rather than as an expected sidetrip, and his clean and no holds barred language require that I read more of his work.

A lot of the negative reviews here are easy to empathize with. The plot feels very disjointed. The beatnik signature of tight rhythmic sentences is there, but making visuals out of those sentences can be problematic.With a little effort I managed to really grasp the book by just taking it a bit slower. I read somewhere the magic of reading Burroughs or Kerouac is reading their work aloud. The scenes in this book would necessitate reading this aloud perhaps in... an adult setting? FAR away from kids? Or just alone? Either way, THE WILD BOYS does have lots of magic in it, and the excessive sexual content makes more sense when keeping in mind the oppressive society the story is set in.

I love the way Burroughs uses structure and the element of confusion to rope you in. He may be my favorite author. The Wild Boys is sporadic, shocking, insightful, and hard to put down. I'd highly recommend to anyone over the age of 18, as there are graphic scenes involving violence and sex.

Fantastic read.To be sampled in small doses.Absolutely loved the book.All his books to be exact.Great malevolent characters.bea de trog

If you are a homophobe don't read this. If you don't like sex in books don't read this. However, if those don't apply to you, this is a most unique read, like nothing I've read before. It'll take a bit to grasp what's going, but it's more of a piece of art than a real story. I loved it. But I have a very odd taste. Nothing like I expected.

...but only because I was so eager to discover the point. Very strage and disturbing book. Not sure I would recommend it. He's a fine writer, but his erotica needs some work - I found myself rolling my eyes through much of it.

No Duran Duran but still a great collection of whacky skits. Some very funny stuff as well as the usual Burroughs obsessions. Gay nookie and sci fi but it is a relatively easy read for Bill.

William S Burroughs, he takes you to worlds familiar and worlds Unknown. Nightmarish characters tangled in excess of fragmented lives. His writing is bold, wicked and unflinchingly imaginative. Once opened it’s hard to put down...

Excellent book - I'm happy I got it and I can read it in English.

As the mutant Wild Boys slowly take over the world we are left with glimpsesof a dystopian future, where the masses only exist for the satisfactionof their needs and collectively attend to the satisfaction of the Elite. Add to that ancientMaya ghosts lurking in ruins, and forests of hungry sex trees. The Wild Boys isan experiment in time travel, as well as , a book of the Dead. Handle with care.

excellent A+++++