- Paperback: 72 pages
- Publisher: City Lights Publishers; New impression edition (Jan 1 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0872860043
- ISBN-13: 978-0872860049
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 14 x 0.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 100 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #853,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
The Yage Letters: an early epistolary novel by William S. Burroughs, whose 1952 account of himself as Junkie, published under the pseudonym William Lee, ended "Yage may be the final fix." In letters to Allen Ginsberg, an unknown young poet in New York, his journey to the Amazon jungle is recorded, detailing picaresque incidents of search for telepathic-hallucinogenic-mind-expanding drug Yage (Ayahuasca, or Banisteriopsis Caapé) used by Amazon Indian doctors for finding lost objects, mostly bodies and souls. Author and recipient of these letters met again in New York, Xmas 1953, pruned and edited the writings to form a single book. Correspondence contains first seeds of later Burroughsian fantasy in Naked Lunch. Seven years later Ginsberg in Peru writes his old guru an account of his own visions and terrors with the same drug, appealing for further counsel. Burroughs' mysterious reply is sent. The volume concludes with two epilogues: a short note from Ginsberg on his return from the Orient years later reassuring Self that he is still here on earth, and a final poetic cut-up by Burroughs, "I Am Dying Meester?"
About the Author
William Burroughs (1915-1997) is widely reconized as one of the most innovative writers of the twentieth century. His books include: Junky, Naked Lunch, The Soft Machine, and Cities of the Red Night.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
We Have a Latah to Learn,
By mrgrieves08 (tucson) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Yage Letters (Paperback)
The Yage Letters is an interesting collection of correspondance from William S Burroughs to Allen Ginsberg spanning from Jan. 15 to July 10, 1953. In addition to capturing the essence of Burroughs style and subject matter, albeit in a rather raw form, the letters tell of his search for the mythic mind-altering natural drug Yage. Incidentally, this search took place directly after Burroughs had fled from Mexico after the accidental death of his wife at his own hand. Although there are many jewels to be found in this small book for the dedicated fan of Burroughs' work, they are spread throughout with many tedious, repetitious and confusing entries. Ginsburg's contribution, which I hoped would lend a voice of explanation to the letters, is instead a spasmolytic account of his own experience on the same drug, seemingly penned when still under the influence of it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fruit of the (Yage) Vine,
By John Owens "Beatnik" (Hirschberg-Leutershausen, Germany) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Yage Letters (Paperback)
This is the best collection of letters I have ever read, next to The Letters of William S. Burroughs. Bill's letters to Allen really TAKE YOU THERE, as he once said about Colette. Bill rants against the U.S. Point Four agrarian bureaucracy, missionaries living "the life of Riley", Peruvian boys who roll him for his money, eyeglasses, etc.; however, Bill said to Allen that he "shared with the late Father Flanigan - he of Boys Town - the deep conviction that there is no such thing as a bad boy." Overall, good reading and a good record of South America in the early 1950's.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Hallucinogens and Cut-ups,
By Rayv "Dann" (Noho, Ma) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Yage Letters (Paperback)
The Yage Letters was a correspondence between William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. Burroughs describes his ongoing search for the ancient drug, starting in Mexico, and finishing in South America. Likewise, Ginsberg finishes where Burroughs left off and the rest is history. I enjoyed reading this book, and was pleased to learn about new cultures and info on hallucinogens. The book can become overwelming in some section, especially the last bit about the cut-up process; nevertheless, it's still an interesting idea, which Burroughs had utilized in every artistic medium. Also included are a few sketches by Ginsberg himself
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