The Sound Asylum Book

Well, after reading several of Burroughs' works, I can't say I have an overly high opinion of his contributions. When I first asked a friend who this Burroughs person was and if I'd enjoy reading him, they told me that he was similar to David Sedaris and that if I liked Sedaris, I'd like Burroughs. Well, the truth is that I LOVE Sedaris, and tolerate Burroughs.

They both seem to draw largely on personal experiences to weave humorous stories that people can relate to. How can that go wrong, you might ask. I think the difference boils down to style. Sedaris, when speaking of himself, does not come across as taking himself too seriously and is not afraid to lampoon himself along with his family and friends. Burroughs, on the other hand, always strikes me as someone who thinks very highly of himself and doesn't to a great job of hiding this in his writing. Even when I think he has written a worthy and humorous story, I'll trip over a sentence or comment within the work where Burroughs blows smoke up his own ass destroying the magic he was previously able to conger.

All that said, Sellevision was mildly amusing and somewhat predictable.

I'm sure many will disagree with me, but all in all, Burroughs is at best a B author.