Kathy Acker

The Profile

American experimental novelist, punk poet and postmodern writer active from the 1970s until 1997.

Often associated with postmodern and experimental writing and influenced by William S. Burroughs. Died of breast cancer in 1997 at age 50. The review on DeBaser notes her birth name as Karen Lehman Alexander and situates New York City, 1979 in a jazz/punk milieu.

One DeBaser review (Stanlio) reads Kathy Acker's New York City, 1979 as a short, Burroughs-influenced slice of punk-era New York. The review notes themes of drugs, sex, prostitution and jazz within a fragmented, frenetic narrative voice. The overall reaction is immersive though measured (3/5).