38 pages • 1 hour read
Naked Lunch
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Book Brief
304
Novel • Fiction
Multiple Locations • 1950s
1959
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Naked Lunch, Lee, a person grappling with heroin use, flees New York to evade police, journeying through Philadelphia and Mexico before arriving in Freeland, a dystopian state. After a riot in Freeland, he escapes to Interzone, facing bizarre and fantastical experiences. He returns to New York, evades police pursuing his notebooks, and flees to Panama City and then Tangier. The book depicts substance use and abuse, addiction, graphic sexual content, and graphic violence.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Gritty
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
93,499 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs garners mixed reactions for its groundbreaking narrative and unorthodox style. Positively noted for its raw depiction of addiction and innovative prose, it intrigues many. Conversely, critics cite its chaotic structure and explicit content as detracting factors. Its cultural influence is undeniable, though polarizing.
Who Should Read Naked Lunch?
A reader who would enjoy Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs is likely drawn to experimental, non-linear narratives and controversial, avant-garde literature. Fans of Allen Ginsberg’s Howl and Jack Kerouac’s On the Road will appreciate Burroughs' raw, hallucinatory prose and exploration of countercultural themes.
93,499 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Dr. Benway
Dr. Benway
Assigned to Lee, Benway is a complex character who oscillates between comical and malevolent roles. He is known for his bizarre medical experiments and satirical critiques of modern society.
The Party Leader
The Party Leader
Leader of the Arab nationalist party, this character embodies the themes of political manipulation and hypocrisy. Despite his claims to support the ordinary people, he epitomizes self-indulgence and disconnection from their plight.
304
Novel • Fiction
Multiple Locations • 1950s
1959
Adult
18+ years
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