Naked Lunch

Naked Lunch (sometimes The Naked Lunch) is a novel by William S. Burroughs originally published in 1959. The book is structured as a series of loosely connected vignettes. Burroughs stated that the chapters are intended to be read in any order. The reader follows the narration of junkie William Lee, who takes on various aliases, from the US to Mexico, eventually to Tangier and the dreamlike Interzone. The vignettes (which Burroughs called "routines") are drawn from Burroughs' own experience in these places, and his addiction to drugs (heroin, morphine, and while in Tangier, "Majoun"—a strong marijuana confection—as well as a German opioid, brand name Eukodol, of which he wrote frequently).

The novel was included in Time magazine's "100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005". In 1991, David Cronenberg released a film of the same name based upon the novel and other Burroughs writings.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs, is definitely the most disturbing book I have ever read to date. It was written in the Counterculture Movement when many people were rejecting the American Establishment. They had had enough. Burroughs was one such person. He was friends with a few of the Beat Authors, specifically Allen Ginsberg who helped him get this novel published. 

Burroughs was addicted to drugs for many years. During this time, he wrote these vignettes about drugs, society, sex, art, and more. The novel doesn't have a clear plot line and Burroughs actually said that the pieces could be read in any order. There are certain characters that pop up repeatedly in different sections but the world, Interzone, is so alarming and terrifying that it's hard to form a connection with any of the characters. Except perhaps the ones being harassed by the doctor. Dr. Benway is utterly insane and it's easy to connect with his patients, who also think he's insane. 

The most intriguing thing about this book is the hidden meaning. Burroughs used metaphor, allegory, and allusion to create a world symbolically in tune with the reality of the 1960s and 70s. He challenged the viewpoints of American politics, global war, drug addiction, homosexuality, and sex itself. The world that he saw was harsh and horrible and he put that into his writing. Naked Lunch is held in high esteem in the literary world because of it's risky and controversial nature so I would recommend it, but only to those who have a strong stomach. 

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

Thursday Morning Breakfast (and Murder) Club

When Clare Ballard sports a new bruise on her right cheek the day after a contentious town meeting, the ladies of the Thursday Morning Breakfast Club suspect her husband Roger of abusing her. That same day Hester Franklin, another breakfast club lady, is called to rescue her grandson Patrick after he is arrested for transporting drugs. Proclaiming his innocence, Patrick threatens that those who set him up will pay. Roger Ballard is high on his list. But it's when Lillie Mae Harris, the club's leader, discovers the body of the local drug dealer on the nearby hiking trail, that the community is upended.

Roger Ballard, the primary suspect, goes missing, and when his body turns up in his own back yard, Clare Ballard confesses to his murder. No one believes she did it, but Clare insists she's guilty and mysteriously refuses to talk to her lawyer, the police, or her family and friends. The Thursday Morning Breakfast Club ladies believe she's protecting someone, and they vow to find out who it is. Charlie Warren, the town's homegrown policeman, using unconventional means, collaborates with the breakfast club ladies to draw out the real criminal.

But danger lurks. Alice Portman, the matriarch of the breakfast club, is struck down in her own yard and is sent to the hospital. Then others in the small community start to disappear-one after the other. As the ladies get closer to the truth, they get closer to the danger. With no time to cry over spilled coffee, they form a plan to capture the true culprits before someone else is murdered.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Liz Stauffer creates havoc in the small town of Mount Penn when a suspected drug dealer is murdered in her novel, Thursday Morning Breakfast (and Murder) Club. Lillie Mae, a friend of everyone in town, is determined to find unravel this mountain mystery along with the other members of the breakfast club. 

Though every citizen of Mount Penn plays a role, Lillie Mae stands out as the main character. She takes part in the investigation, narrowing down the suspect list. I had a little trouble believing that the police would allow her to aid their investigation, but it made for an interesting twist from the usual murder mystery recipe. Though her age isn't mentioned, Lillie Mae seems to be a middle-aged woman. She loves to visit her neighbors and take part in the town gossip. Even though she may be a gossip-mongrel, Lillie Mae is a good friend, inquisitive, and intelligent. Readers will see her as a grandmother figure, always the perfect hostess and tag-a-long. She is always present for other characters when they need a friend or someone to simply listen. 

The plot of the novel begins with Lillie Mae discovering the dead body of the town's drug dealer and the investigation that follows. When another town member is murdered, the ladies of the Thursday Morning Breakfast Club decide to help find the killer. Their motivation increasing when Lillie Mae's best friend admits to one of the murders. Though the story takes its time in development and the amount of gossip is a bit overwhelming, the plot as a whole is interesting, which is always good in a mystery. Recommended for a nice and easy weekend read. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups