synopsis:

Junky tells the story of William Lee and his aimless, bored life which leads him through a potted career as roach exterminator and robber of drunks, into the subculture of the heroin addict. Lee (Burroughs' alter-ego), casts a cold eye on his environment and records his experiences. He befriends a thief who 'rolls the lushes' on the New York subway. When he experiments with morphine whilst operating as a fence, he finds the reason for living he has been searching for. This 'discovery' costs him dear, constantly in search of the next fix while trying to keep one step ahead of narcotics agents and seedy fellow addicts. As the sickness takes hold, he tries to kick the habit, but is beaten down repeatedly by the all-consuming force of his addiction.

on this book:

written under the influence of morphine, The story of junky is served up in a terse, minimal style that presents a bleak, sad truth without the overlay of morality or judgement. Human beings are invaded by a pharmaceutical 'virus' which reduces them to an insect-like existence, while the depressing and ignorant world of normality reinforces the alienation of the hero. However, for those who appreciate it, Burroughs' sly, black humour will provide a welcome relief from the dominant feelings of paranoia and melancholy.see also: * naked lunch [movies]