Johnson, Rob; Ochoa, Juan (Burroughs, William S.)

William Burroughs and the South Texas Beats

Coventry, England: Beat Scene Press, 2017. Limited First Edition Thus. Stapled Wrappers. This special chapbook production from Kevin Ring's esteemed Beat Scene Press covers the time William S. Burroughs spent in South Texas where he attempted "...to cultivate marijuana and live the life of a secluded Texas farmer." (first page, unpaginated) Specifically, this is the transcript of a conversation between Rob Johnson, professor at the University of Texas Pan-American, & Juan Ochoa, a graduate student of Johnson's with key knowledge of the area around which Burroughs lived out his temporary Texas farming experiment that began during 1946. Ochoa, also a Mexican attorney, took the investigation to places that Johnson's inquiries would not have penetrated. Preceding the discussion transcript is a "character key" that enables the reader less familiar with the "scene" in which WSB was surrounded at this time. Among the interesting conjectures covered in this chapbook is the idea that the circle of which WSB was a part were a sort of "surrogate" of the New York City group, albeit with different dynamics and personality roles. As noted, a "slightly amended" version of this interview-conversation was published in Beat Scene magazine No. 42 (2003, see our item No. 2149). Chapbook in stapled wrappers with flaps, from an edition of 125 hand-numbered copies published in July 2017 as No. 60 in the BSP Pocket Book series, this is copy No. 10/125. See also our many available issues of the indispensable Beat Scene magazine & other BSP productions. A beautiful number in this most collectible series; an essential and enlightening read for any WSB or Beat Generation enthusiast. In very fine, as-new condition, substantially mint inside & out. Very Fine. [Item #5253]

Price: $35.00