“All great art, and today all great artlessness, must appear extreme to the mass of men, as we know them today. It springs from the anguish of great souls. From the souls of men not formed, but deformed in factories whose inspiration is pelf.”
Cain's Book is a novel by Alexander Trocchi, first published in 1960. The story follows Joe Necchi, a Scottish writer and heroin addict living on a scow in New York City's harbor. Through a fragmented, stream-of-consciousness narrative, the book delves into Necchi's daily experiences with drug use, his relationships with other addicts and artists, and his struggles with societal norms and personal identity. The novel is noted for its raw, unflinching portrayal of addiction and its critique of conventional morality, drawing heavily from Trocchi's own life. It is considered a key work of Beat literature, though Trocchi was not formally part of that movement. more
Alexander Trocchi was a Scottish novelist known for his unique literary style and profound insights into social reality. His works often explore the conflict between individuals and society, as well as the pursuit of freedom and self-expression. more
“Almost anything carried to a logical extreme becomes depressing.”
“He that has never suffered extreme adversity knows not the full extent of his own depravation.”
“In politics, being ridiculous is more damaging than being extreme.”
“Introversion, at least if extreme, is a sign of mental and spiritual immaturity.”