38 pages 1 hour read

William S. Burroughs

Naked Lunch

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1959

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs garners mixed reactions for its groundbreaking narrative and unorthodox style. Positively noted for its raw depiction of addiction and innovative prose, it intrigues many. Conversely, critics cite its chaotic structure and explicit content as detracting factors. Its cultural influence is undeniable, though polarizing.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Naked Lunch?

A reader who would enjoy Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs is likely drawn to experimental, non-linear narratives and controversial, avant-garde literature. Fans of Allen Ginsberg’s Howl and Jack Kerouac’s On the Road will appreciate Burroughs' raw, hallucinatory prose and exploration of countercultural themes.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Period
The Beat Generation
Genre
Classic Fiction
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
American Literature
Topics
Addiction / Substance Abuse
Politics / Government
Themes
Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
Identity: Mental Health
Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger