A phenomenal novel. I have never read prose this devastatingly poetic, rich, just literature on which to gorge oneself. Stunning. I cannot enthuse readily enough. My favourite book.

Have tried in this informal top five to include works that have stunned me, taken me to a different place, made the world bright and sharp once over, made me want to do nothing but read for ever man.

Had to be in top five for this and above in fact the two tomes that started a life long obsession with literature. Shirt sticking to back on hot bus ride's still stuck with me.

Perhaps prefer Naked Lunch (trying one author, one book) but t'was this book that kicked off lenghty obsession with Burroughs and the beats.

Forget Rimbaud and all that laboured nonsense. Baud. is the apotheosis of French poetry - elegant, economical, devastatingly beautiful prose.

Took me to places I did not know existed. When robust makes me high and elated, when fragile collapse into a sobbing wreck, ruing this foetid existence.

Superb. Lavish prose, dry, witty and satirical, l have a great fondness for old Hum. Savouring this book at present for the last great book i finished left me greatly dissatisfied with the next.

Never has an authors character development so stunned me with its brilliance. He effortlessly deliniates the most complex characters with whom one becomes utterly involved. Genius.

One of the most horrifying and brilliant works of art in any medium. He writes so vividly its like watching a film. Film adaptation awful, by the path.

Poetry with remarkable stylistic economy and humour. Brilliant.

Another disturbing but remarkable book. A must for any fiercely indiviual teen or dissatisfied adult.

Hard to choose which Orwell, but this goes in for the sheer atmospheric achievement of the first half, which takes place in the cavernous innards of a French hotel. Amazing.

To paraphrase Amis' review of Lolita, this was a book I read whilst nodding with scandalised assent. A must for any wild man.