So some of us here at Galley Beggar towers are big fans of the brilliantly nightmarish William Burroughs, big fans. Choosing to have your first tattoo as his initials at the age of 18 is absolutely normal. The 5th of February this year will mark what would have been the 100th birthday of Burroughs and to celebrate there will be various events across London, Lawrence (Kansas) and Paris. To kick things off, we're going to share some William Seward Burroughs highlights with you…

Naked Lunch (1959)

It's always good to start with the obvious. Though not the first, and in many Burroughsian eyes not the best, Naked Lunch is certainly the most famous of his works. One of the key texts of the Beat Generation, its obscene language and grotesque depictions of 'junk' blew apart the literary scene of the late 1950's. Amazingly it's not even the least 'accessible' of his works. Since its publication Naked Lunch has always had the power to distort and shape the minds of its readers, a power realised right at the apex of William Burroughs' lengthy creative output.

The Ticket That Exploded (1962)

An absolutely vital text in the Burroughs canon, The Ticket That Exploded forms the centrepiece to the 'Nova Trilogy' (1961-1964). His early work relies on a fairly simple prose style and Naked Lunch only serves as a precursor to his fully realised cut-up technique, a radical vision he saw as a fresh attempt at creative freedom. The reason this book is included here and not the first or last in the trilogy is for its significance in Burroughs' explanation of the word. His idea of language being a transmitted virus and the origin and basis of the cut-up technique itself play crucial roles, combining to create a real distillation of Burrough's inimitable style.

Junky (1953)

As much an incredible publishing story as a novel in its own right, Junky was William Burroughs' startling semi-autobiographical debut. It was released both under a pseudonym and printed back to back in a cheap double header. If you have ever had the privilege of listening to Burroughs talk (if not, youtube it) then you can imagine every single word of this book being read aloud. His trademark, dry voice permeates every page with a powerful and painfully honest depiction of Heroin culture in 1950's America. Ranking fairly high on the Burroughs 'readability' scale, it's a great place to start thematically as well as chronologically.

The Yagé Letters (1963)

Though not forming part of any major stylistic Burroughs themes, this collection of correspondence with fellow beat Father Allen Ginsberg is of huge contextual significance. Beginning in 1953, these letters concern his travels in the Amazon in search of the hallucinogenic plant Ayahuasca (yagé). Despite its difference in format from the usual Burroughs output, the theme of correspondence and the necessity to share experiences with friends is vital to the idea of the Beat Generation. Kerouac would have nothing without his Dean Moriarty and Ginsberg would be an altogether different writer without his 'angel-headed hipsters'. As well as this, the seeds of Burroughs' 'cut-up technique' are sown in the epilogue, hinting at the style that he would begin to employ in the 1960′s.

William Burroughs & Kurt Cobain

Many a musician drew influence from Burroughs. Steely Dan and Soft Machine took their names from his work, Patti Smith, Kurt Cobain and Michael Stipe hung out with him. Long into his old age he was a figure of great reverence and respect.

Credit to Reality Studio, who have posted a brilliant insight to Kurt Cobain and William Burroughs' relationship here.

The Wild Boys: A Book of the Dead (1971)

The Wild Boys is a fairly terrifying book. Not much written by Burroughs is particularly comforting, but this book will keep you awake at night. Apocalyptic circumstances, homosexual futuristic warfare and a terrifying vision of what the Reagan era could have been. It tackles head on all of the classic Burroughs brain-spilling ideas and served as inspiration (like most of his work) for major pop culture figures at the time. Touching again on another corner of his many sided dice of language and style, The Wild Boys is a fantastic piece of late-era Burroughs.

Advice for Young People

This is just a very enjoyable treat. Must be played to innocent children.

In reality this post could be pages and pages long. The world of William Burroughs is mesmerising, occasionally horrifying and seemingly infinite. His impact on the Beat Generation and the history of literature should not be understated, nor should it be overshadowed by the more romanticised works of Jack Kerouac or Allen Ginsberg. Each can be taken on their own individual merit and William Burroughs should be recognised for his own brand of unique, groundbreaking writing. Happy Birthday Bill.

Written by Rory Hill – Assistant Editor of Galley Beggar Press