And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks
by William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac
Narrated by Ray Porter
Why Listen to This Audiobook?
Before Kerouac wrote On the Road or Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch, they helped cover up a murder — and then wrote a novel about it.
- Great if you want: literary history and true crime fused into one unsettling listen
- Listening experience: taut and voyeuristic — short runtime, dense atmosphere
- Narration: Porter leans into the noir seediness without overplaying the dread
- Skip if: you expect the fully-formed voices of the Beats' later work
Listen to And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks on Audible →
About This Audiobook
Two young writers craft a haunting tale rooted in actual events that shook their bohemian circle in 1940s New York. Set against the backdrop of wartime Manhattan's underground scene, the story follows the dangerous obsession between two men that spirals toward inevitable violence. Burroughs and Kerouac, writing in alternating chapters before either had achieved literary fame, capture the raw energy of their generation's artistic awakening while exploring themes of desire, friendship, and moral ambiguity. The narrative weaves through smoky bars and cramped apartments where intellectuals and misfits gather to debate art and politics while darker currents flow beneath the surface.
Ray Porter's nuanced narration brings remarkable depth to this collaborative work, skillfully navigating the distinct voices of both authors without losing the unified thread of the story. His performance captures the noir atmosphere of wartime New York while maintaining the psychological tension that drives the plot forward. Porter's pacing allows listeners to fully absorb the literary craftsmanship on display, particularly effective during the more introspective passages where characters grapple with guilt and consequence. The audio format enhances the immediacy of this hard-boiled tale, making the listener feel present in the dimly lit world these future Beat Generation legends created together.
