Miles, Barry (Burroughs, William S.)

William Burroughs: El Hombre Invisible: A Portrait

ISBN: 1562828487
New York, NY: Hyperion, 1993. First American Edition. Hardcover. "William Seward Burroughs. Described by Norman Mailer as "the only living American novelist who may conceivably be possessed of genius," this unique underground visionary has lived up to these words. Burroughs's influence has exploded far beyond the ethereal borders of the literati into the realm of popular culture- he has influenced a remarkable spectrum of adventurous writers, artists, filmmakers and musicians...In this unconventional but riveting portrait, Barry Miles explores for the first time Burroughs's true cultural significance." (from front flap) A biographical-critical portrait of the life & work of William S. Burroughs, a Founding Father of the Beat Generation & indeed among the most ingeniously influential literary & cultural figures of all time- our most iconic figure here at Third Mind Books, named of course in his honor & under his influence. First published the previous year (1992) in the UK, this work was among the most important to appear during WSB's lifetime. The author, Barry Miles, is one of the foremost authorities on WSB since the 1960s. He knew & worked closely with WSB, & co-wrote the earliest, indispensably comprehensive WSB bibliography issued in 1978 (William S. Burroughs: A Bibliography 1953-73), which we frequently turn to for our curations. Miles went on to publish a more sweeping door-stopper of a biography in 2014, the centenary of WSB's birth (Call Me Burroughs). While the latter volume somewhat eclipses this earlier one & has the advantage of "a tree is best measured when it is down" posthumous hindsight, we nevertheless recommend it highly in its own right as more contemporaneous with its subject. With middle section of photographs. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket, first (American) edition as stated on copyright page, first printing as indicated by number sequence thereon. Shoaf, Section IV, 158(a), pg. 184; Schottlaender, H32(b), pg. 147. An essential collectible in the canon of Burroughsian scholarship. Book in very fine condition, virtually mint inside & out. Dust jacket very fine with only slightest rubbing & scratching to front, back covers & spine; a bit of wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same & flaps. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #4144]

Price: $40.00