The Soft Machine
The Soft Machine
Book Brief
Beta184
Novel • Fiction
Multiple Locations • 1960s
1992
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs explores themes of control, addiction, and transformation through an innovative narrative style. Individuals navigate a fragmented world where time and space are fluid, uncovering the impact of oppressive systems and personal liberation. The novel employs Burroughs' cut-up technique, creating a surreal and non-linear reading experience.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Dark
Challenging
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
6,989 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs offers a challenging, non-linear narrative that showcases Burroughs' innovative cut-up technique. Critics laud its experimental nature and exploration of taboo subjects. However, its fragmented structure can be disorienting, detracting from coherence. The novel is praised for its boldness but criticized for inaccessibility.
Who Should Read The Soft Machine?
A reader who enjoys The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs likely appreciates experimental narratives, non-linear storytelling, and themes of consciousness exploration. Comparable to those intrigued by Naked Lunch or Gravity's Rainbow, they embrace avant-garde literature and are intrigued by the Beat Generation's influence.
6,989 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Soft Machine is part of Burroughs' famous "Cut-Up Trilogy," utilizing his unique cut-up technique, where text is cut and rearranged to create a new narrative.
The novel went through several editions, with significant revisions made by Burroughs, reflecting his dissatisfaction with the initial version and his evolving literary style.
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Burroughs drew inspiration for the title, The Soft Machine, from a term used to describe the human body, emphasizing the mechanized and often dehumanized aspects of modern existence.
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184
Novel • Fiction
Multiple Locations • 1960s
1992
Adult
18+ years
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