Reviews

And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks by William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac

faithmz's review against another edition

Go to review page

Based on true story.  Author seemed to enjoy the death of his friend.

mellokitty's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark medium-paced

3.5

mistyd's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

This book is a slightly fictionalized account of a 1944 murder. What you can read from this book is that Kerouac and Burroughs were homophobes who thought the "gay panic defense" was a completely acceptable way for their friend (who in real life was bisexual not straight as was portrayed at his trial) to get away with murder. The book is disgusting. The writers were disgusting people. I felt dirty after reading it. They were obviously talented writers because the writing itself is great, but the story, being based on a true story involving them, is vile.

rebeccabooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark fast-paced

4.0

pizzamcpin3ppl3's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

sunhat_cloudbelt's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

esshgee's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Not focussed so much on the crime as the lead-up to the crime, and the general everyday goings-on of the Beat Generation folks. If you're into that, then you'll love this. If not, it's an interesting portrayal of their bohemian existence

ellelikeslit's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ryryrryyr's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

probably my two fav writers right now

interlibraryloan's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

bitches will get obsessed with the beat generation and suddenly think they should go to grad school (it’s me, I’m bitches)