And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks

And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks is a collaborative novel written by Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs in 1945, long before they became prominent Beat Generation figures. The manuscript remained unpublished for over 60 years until its release in 2008. The narrative structure alternates between two perspectives: Burroughs writes as Will Dennison under his William Lee pseudonym, while Kerouac assumes the role of Mike Ryko. The story takes place in New York City during World War II and follows a group of young bohemians through their daily lives in the city. The novel draws inspiration from real events involving members of their social circle in 1944, transforming actual experiences into a work of noir fiction. The unusual title comes from a news report about a fire, though accounts differ on whether it occurred at a circus or the London Zoo. The text serves as an early document of Beat Generation sensibilities, capturing the raw energy of postwar America and the emergence of a new countercultural movement. Through its dual-author structure, the novel presents two distinct literary voices that would later help define an era of American literature.

Readers consider this an interesting historical artifact rather than a compelling novel. Many note it reads like an amateur work from young writers still developing their style. Readers appreciated: - The raw, unpolished glimpse into Kerouac and Burroughs' early writing - The alternating narrative voices between chapters - Its documentation of 1940s New York underground culture Common criticisms: - Flat, detached writing style - Lack of character development - Monotonous pacing - Too much focus on mundane details One reader called it "a curiosity piece that belongs in a museum." Another noted it "reads like a police report written by literature students." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (120+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.3/5 (250+ ratings) Many readers recommend it only for devoted fans of the Beat Generation writers who want to study their artistic development, not for casual readers seeking entertainment.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac This raw account of cross-country travels captures the same criminal underbelly and restless youth culture of 1940s New York found in Hippos.

Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Jr. The interconnected stories depict the gritty streets and desperate characters of post-war Brooklyn through unflinching prose.

City of Night by John Rechy This semi-autobiographical novel follows a male hustler through the underground scenes of 1950s American cities with stark realism.

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs The non-linear narrative explores addiction, crime, and sexuality in the same Beat Generation spirit that influenced Hippos.

Crime Novel by Iain Banks Three interweaving storylines follow young criminals through Scotland's underworld with the same matter-of-fact style used in Hippos.

🔹 The novel was inspired by the real-life 1944 murder of David Kammerer by Lucien Carr, a tragic event that profoundly affected both Kerouac and Burroughs personally, as they were close friends with those involved. 🔹 The manuscript remained unpublished for over 60 years, finally reaching readers in 2008, long after both authors had passed away. 🔹 The authors alternated chapters, with Kerouac writing as "Mike Ryko" and Burroughs as "Will Dennison," creating one of the earliest examples of collaborative Beat literature. 🔹 The title comes from a 1944 Hartford Circus fire news headline, where 167 people died, though this event is unrelated to the main narrative. 🔹 The novel represents the first substantial piece of writing by either author, predating Kerouac's "On the Road" and Burroughs' "Naked Lunch" by more than a decade.