Burroughs, William S.

Ghost of Chance

New York, NY: Serpent's Tail / High Risk Books, 1995. First Trade Edition. Hardcover. (Shoaf 88a. pg. 63; Schottlaender A66b.). "Bulldozers are destroying the rain forests, the cowering lemurs and flying foxes, the singing Kloss's gibbons, which produce the most beautiful and variegated music of any land animal, and the gliding colugo lemurs, which are helpless on the ground. All going, to make way for more and more devalued human stock, with less and less wild spark, the priceless ingredient--energy into matter. A vast mud-slide of soulless sludge." (pg. 18-19). This extremely unique book in the Burroughs oeuvre is one-part historical fiction with a trademark Burroughsian bent (strange viruses which plague humankind make a notable and timely appearance, as well as "Greasy Ghost" lubricant and descriptions surrounding the circumstances which enabled "...the first ruffed lemur birth in captivity anywhere in 40 years." He even ends the work uncharacteristically asking his readers to donate to the Duke University Primate Center, which he says "...needs support from concerned individuals." Why does he do this? What is the purpose of (or message in) "Ghost of Chance" that would necessitate such a proposal? Read it to find out--yet another work in the groundbreaking catalog of WSB that will give the reader insight into his restlessly-expansive mind. [ISBN: 1-85242-406-0]. Book in very fine condition, virtually as new. Very Fine. [Item #4112]

Price: $55.00