Comments on: Jacques Stern

By: Genevieve Val Baker

Genevieve Val Baker — Thu, 15 May 2025 07:58:30 +0000

I met Jacques Stern in Colorado in town called Boulder in 70’s and I have 2 copies of screenplay for William Burroughs book ‘Junky’ written by them both together in 1977 I have since returned to England

By: Daurade

Daurade — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:15:35 +0000

Finding this is a real boon to Burroughs studies, so kudos and thanks.

I didn’t know what to expect so not overly disappointed. It conforms to how I’d heard it described. But it’s no great shakes and like I said, for me anyway, hard to stick with.

Burroughs and his praise. All of the above. :) When he liked something, he went all in. I respect Gysin, but not sure he deserved the line from Burroughs that “Gysin was the only person I ever respected.” Burroughs tended to be very effusive when he liked something.

Burroughs took everything to the 9th degree. I think others can corroborate, but aren’t there like more than one archive of cut-ups with 10k + pages? I think something of this obsessive approach to things and his high praise are linked in that both are heady and enthusiastic.

Thanks again. Gonna keep dipping into this.

By: RealityStudio

RealityStudio — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 22:57:10 +0000

As the person who researched and wrote this piece — locating the first known copy of The Fluke in the process — I admit I found the text disappointing to read. Or more precisely, I found it disappointing as a work of literature. I found it interesting as a document from a critical time in Burroughs history.

As for Burroughs’ gushing estimate of the book, I wonder if it was just a sign of the heady times in the Beat hotel. Or perhaps it was due to the drugs. Or it was a testament to Stern’s manic charisma. Or all of the above.

By: Daurade

Daurade — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 10:39:37 +0000

Curious as the what people think of The Fluke. It’s a demanding read. I jumped in at various points and read a few pages but found it hard to stick with.

Do you think it deserved Burroughs’ praise?

Really happy to read. Stern sticks out in my memory after reading WSB’s biography. I’m gonna keep trying to get thru more of The Fluke.

By: Seppo Koivula

Seppo Koivula — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:37:26 +0000

Nathan,

there’s only one photo which I found Jacques Stein in it. Photo is taken in St Tropez (1961) and there are Corso, Orlovsky and Ginsberg with him.

https://rspull-supervert.netdna-ssl.com/images/people/jacques_stern/stern.corso.orlovsky.ginsberg.1961.jpg

By: Nathan D May

Nathan D May — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 16:01:50 +0000

Any photos of Jacques Stern available?

By: geoffz

geoffz — Wed, 11 May 2011 03:31:11 +0000

I knew Jacques Stern in Spain ’69…quite a character. He used to come into the smugglers saloon with his spanish wife who’d shoot ’em up with morphine every once in awhile.

By: Fleur

Fleur — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 23:41:02 +0000

I became involved in Jacques Stern’s life inadvertently in NYC in the 1970s. He was a supreme category of monster; so unique a corrupter of people as to be unparalleled in this distinction. There he reigned in his suite of rooms, barren of furniture, ensconced in his satin, gold-sheeted bed, surrounded by the litter of used syringes. By turns taciturn and explosive, the life he lived was one of self-willed aberration. His “marginalization ” in the historical record of the Beats is a legacy earned.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:30:37 +0000

never thought I’d find out anything more regarding the mysterious Stern and now this. Very considerate of you guys to post this stuff. And to think that he was in NYC all that time. Thanks for this.

By: Gary Lee-Nova

Gary Lee-Nova — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:32:48 +0000

Outstanding work!

Johnny’s term – treasure trove – describes it best!

Thank you to Reality Studio and all involved with the presentation of this marvellous material!