Hard to follow

This was my first foray into Burroughs's literary universe, and it's a harsh landing. It starts out strangely, but quickly finds it's footing in a serious of storylines that I really enjoyed. But around two-thirds through it takes a hard turn into completely unhinged territory, which I sort of gave up following.
I really enjoy Burroughs's writing style, and his setting feels very unique. The reading was also great, but in the long run I really struggled with the plot. It's just so confusing, and it's really hard to tell if there even is a 'red thread' to follow through the various jumps and skips.
I'm not sure I would recommend it - At this point I'm enticed to try the two companion books in this trilogy, but it's a hard sell unless you're really into freaky fiction with lots of opiates and freewheeling homosexuality.

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The first third of his magnum opus.

Ray Porter renders the opening of the red night trilogy with precisely the sort of irreverent panache befitting a narration of Burroughs' trademark brand of storytelling. Alongside the masterful evocation of numerous fantastic and absurd characters, it is ridiculous in the most wonderful way.

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Mind-bending novel, beautifully narrated.

First read the paper version in the early 80's. Ray Porter's narration takes it to a whole other level. Superb.

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And it all started so well

Back to back Burroughs, after finishing soft machine I couldn't resist starting cities of red night and what could be more intresing than a detective story running parallel to a pirate tale?
The usual ever present ass #ucking and ejaculation remain a Burroughs theme, I was all in and so far so good then book 2 somewhere halfway through and the cut out novel reaper appeared and plunged me into a river of nonsense, pity I was getting along so well too.

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Of course...

Of course there's no one better to read Burroughs than Burroughs himself. But if you can't get hold of Bill's drawn out reading of his own work then this is certainly the next best thing. Excellently read by Ray Porter, who brings it all to life, and highly recommended by me.
P.s. Though it's book 1 of a trilogy, it does stand up superbly, just by it's self.

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1 person found this helpful

Didn’t get into it

I found it to be an unusual and imaginative story, and was read really well. However I found that I didn’t really get into it, so didn’t get a lot from it.

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great version of a fun

Ray Porter is absolutely brilliant (again) in one of Burroughs's most readable narratives. Razor sharp and street smart commentary that's still relevant, as well as his usual tropes of sex, drugs and weirdness. Top marks.

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A lot of penises and smells described

If you like gay sex, you'll like this book. Mucho intense and not for the light of heart.

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God only knows what this is about

An utter nonsense about sex, cocks, anuses and bodily secretions. Verbal diarrhea. Load of gibberish without conclusion or sense. Only listened through partly because of great narration (completely wasted here) and I was looking for something that will tie this nonsense together. But that didn't happen. Guess this happens in the other two parts of the trilogy. But I will never find out as I will try to stay away from it as far as possible.

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A mess of genres with an ugly beauty but unfulfilling

If you like “ejaculate”, “rectal secretions” and “excrement” every other word then this is your book. There is an ugly beauty to parts of this but there is no plot and it has 3 stories running concurrently. A historical, detective noir, sci-fi fantasy, all with unsatisfying climaxes. Ironic, when every character seems to be able to climax at will. It’s a mess, and like most of the Beat authors, outstay it’s welcome. A germ of a good idea that with proper editing and knocking into shape would work but ends up unfulfilling and confusing. Wonderfully narrated by Ray Porter, but overrated

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