In "The Ticket that Exploded," William S. Burroughs delves into the chaotic, psychedelic realms of consciousness, exploring the fine line between reality and illusion. With his signature cut-up technique, Burroughs crafts a narrative that spans time and space, bursting with vivid imagery and existential musings. A group of characters becomes entwined in a dangerous conspiracy involving drugs, the media, and a mysterious ticket that promises freedom. As they navigate this surreal landscape, unsettling questions about control, identity, and societal norms arise. This provocative and experimental work challenges readers to confront their own perceptions and the hidden mechanisms that shape our lives.
By William S. Burroughs
Published: 2014
""The world is a canvas, and the mind a brush—each thought a stroke of chaos that paints the reality we fear to confront.""
As this new edition reveals, the cultural reach of The Ticket That Exploded has expanded with the viral logic of Burroughs's multimedia methods, recycling itself into our digital environment. A last chance antidote to the virus of lies spread by the ad men and con men of the Nova Mob, Burroughs's book is an outrageous hybrid of pulp science fiction, obscene experimental poetry, and manifesto for revolution--as fresh today as it ever has been. Edited from the original manuscripts by renowned Burroughs scholar Oliver Harris, this revised edition incorporates an introduction and appendices of never before seen materials.
William S. Burroughs (1914-1997) was an American novelist, essayist, and visual artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. His most notable works include 'Naked Lunch,' 'Junky,' and 'The Ticket That Exploded,' which explore themes of addiction, control, and the human condition often through nonlinear narrative structures. Burroughs' writing style is characterized by its cut-up technique, fragmented prose, and raw, unfiltered approach to difficult subjects, reflecting his deep interest in the intersection of language and reality. Beyond literature, Burroughs was a key figure in the Beat Generation and had a profound impact on the countercultural movements of the 1960s and beyond.
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“"The world is a canvas, and the mind a brush—each thought a stroke of chaos that paints the reality we fear to confront."”
The Ticket that Exploded
By William S. Burroughs
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