Sedaris Vs. Burroughs

[TooLowBrow]

Who do you prefer?

[Foster]

Sedaris definitely, read all his books

only read "running with scissors" by Burroughs, wasn't too thrilled with it

[GreatAmericanZero]

william s burroughs?

[cougarjake13]

pee in my i dont know who they are's butt

[BlackSpider]

Sedaris...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/spidescorp/strangers-with-candy.jpg

[TooLowBrow]

Sedaris definitely, read all his books

only read "running with scissors" by Burroughs, wasn't too thrilled with it

'dry' was much better than 'running with scissors'

It's not hard to draw parallels between the two writers. Both are gay men living in New York (for at least some of their stories). Both talk at length about their fucked-up childhoods. Both talk openly about their addictions (Burroughs' alcoholism and Sedaris' speed usage). Both have a merciless, dark, nothing-sacred brand of humor that appeals very much to me, but I'm sure horrifies some people. Sedaris is more famous, more popular, and less controversial.

And, to my mind, Burroughs is more talented.

they're like if ron and fez had a baby

[realmenhatelife]

I really thought this was going to be about William Burroughs and I was outraged that someone would try and make that comparison- Now I'm just outraged that there are people on this planet that think Augustine Burroughs is readable, let alone talented.

This is just my own prejudice but I really hate authors that write about themselves explicitly. Part of writing is the art of taking your own perspective and making it universal- the new wave of autobiography is so childish and self obsessed. I feel like these guys write about themselves because they are afraid that people wont make the connection, and they will be denied some level of satisfaction. They don't want people to look at their output, they just want people to look at them. Which is probably why a guy like Burroughs is willing to publish shit that gets him sued for liable.

[TooLowBrow]

I really thought this was going to be about William Burroughs and I was outraged that someone would try and make that comparison- Now I'm just outraged that there are people on this planet that think Augustine Burroughs is readable, let alone talented.

This is just my own prejudice but I really hate authors that write about themselves explicitly. Part of writing is the art of taking your own perspective and making it universal- the new wave of autobiography is so childish and self obsessed. I feel like these guys write about themselves because they are afraid that people wont make the connection, and they will be denied some level of satisfaction. They don't want people to look at their output, they just want people to look at them. Which is probably why a guy like Burroughs is willing to publish shit that gets him sued for liable.

burroughs should write memoirs about other people?