Junky

Wow I loved this. Halfway between “Down and Out in Paris and London” and “Trainspotting” but better written than both.

I was pleasantly surprised by Junky, having negative memories of reading Naked Lunch (albeit over 20 years ago, I'll really need to re-read it). Originally published in 1953 under a pen name and peppered with editorial disclaimers this was the 1977 “complete and unexperged edition”.
The writing was intelligent and the stories interesting and often quite funny. How much is entirely true is known only by Burroughs but it remains utterly believable. It does not attempt to glamorous drugs or addiction but nor does it shy from the pleasures a “hit” can give.
It's nearly 60 years old so some language and concepts may seen alien (and politically incorrect) but they are true to the time - the “jive talk” glossary was a lovely touch.