The Finger

The Finger (1983) is a short story by William S. Burroughs, a key figure in the Beat Generation and pioneer of experimental literature. The story features Burroughs' characteristic blend of surrealism, dark humor, and social commentary. It is a fragmented narrative, in which the protagonist encounters a disembodied finger that seems to hold strange and unsettling powers, reflecting Burroughs' recurring themes of control, addiction, and the absurdity of modern life. Like much of his work, The Finger challenges conventional narrative forms and explores the boundaries between reality and imagination.

William S. Burroughs (1914–1997) was an American novelist, short story writer, and essayist, best known for his groundbreaking and often controversial work in the genre of experimental literature. A key figure in the Beat Generation, his most famous novel, Naked Lunch (1959), is a non-linear, fragmented narrative that explores themes of addiction, control, and societal corruption. Burroughs was also influential in the development of the cut-up technique, a form of collage writing that rearranges text to create new meanings. His work blends surrealism, science fiction, and political critique, and has had a profound impact on both literature and popular culture.