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Originally Posted by Dr. Eugene Felikson

Yeah I've read Junky like a decade ago, but dont remember much. He nods off on a subway at some point, gets caught up in some crime (I think?). I guess it's the narrative focus on someone who society would often overlook which makes it worthwhile?

Burroughs is considered to be profound. I'm not well versed enough on literature to dismiss him as pretentious or fully grasp his reverence however.

ah there you were

ok so, you're mixing 2 things here

your original question was regarding the pretentiousness of some of his readers

to which my unequivocal answer was: "yes" (i've seen them)

(these are probably the people who would consider him "profound")

but now you're introducing the idea of burroughs himself being pretentious, which is a separate question and i'd say: no

burroughs i believe was a writer in earnest trying to apply certain art techniques to writing. he was also earnestly a junkie. the wife murder part was not in earnest, but a joke gone wrong. in any case, whatever his writing may or may not do for you, i don't think he was pretentious.

but some of his readers definitely. or i should say: some of his NON-READERS. because i bet you they're just repeating what they heard someone else said ha ha ha ha haaaaa...

btw there's a little woody allen short story, "the mensa whore". very funny shit and applies to this subject tangentially. i'm sure you can just google it. check it out.