And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks

Viac o knihe

This novel from the early Beat movement showcases the evolving styles of two influential writers. On August 14, 1944, Lucien Carr, a friend of William S. Burroughs, fatally stabbed David Kammerer and disposed of the body in the Hudson River. Kammerer had obsessively pursued Carr for eight years, but that night marked a turning point—either Carr had reached his limit or acted in self-defense. The following day, bloodied and desperate, Carr sought help from Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, inadvertently drawing them into the crime. The murder fascinated the Beats, particularly Kerouac and Burroughs, who decided to collaborate on a novel based on the events. At that time, both authors were relatively unknown and had yet to produce significant works. They narrated alternating chapters, crafting a gritty tale of bohemian New York during World War II, infused with drugs, art, obsession, and violence, reflecting their own experiences. Their manuscript, titled after a bizarre radio bulletin about a circus fire, faced rejection and remained shelved for decades. Finally published, the story revolves around Ramsay Allen and his fixation on the charismatic Phillip Tourian, who, along with friends, dreams of adventure in the West Village bars before planning to escape to France as merchant marines.