I have always been hesitant to read WSB, as I have never been convinced that the killing of his wife was accidental or that the rumors of his preference for young boys is false. However he is quoted as one of the most controversial but genius modern classic gay writers. So I thought I would give this one a try. This was written it what seemed like a semi-autobiographical work, with events, places and people from WSB's real life, this seems especially true when referencing the mental health of the main character Lee and the drug use and abuse. The descriptions of Mexico City in the 40's is also really well done. I went into this thinking it would be a story of a drug taking, gay man navigating life. And it was but it was so much more. WSB really expresses beautifully the pain, fear and loneliness of the main character and at the same time there is a consistent dirty, grubby menacing feel to both him and the book as a whole. His lack of acceptance and lack of true friendship or love or of people even liking him came through a lot and really stayed with me.