Observed While Falling serves as a fascinating exploration of the creative relationship between the renowned author William S. Burroughs and the talented artist Malcolm McNeill. This collaboration began in 1970 when McNeill was still a student at art school in London and continued long after Burroughs’ passing. At the heart of their efforts was the ambitious project titled Ah Pook is Here, a ‘Word/Image Novel’ that delves into the concept of time control and the intriguing possibilities of ‘traveling’ within it.

The narrative of Ah Pook is Here acts as a canvas for a deeper investigation into the fundamental nature of words and images. This work is a prime example of Metafiction, a literary technique where the author intentionally places himself within the story to create a dialogue between fiction and reality. Burroughs himself described his ambition for this project as an effort to ‘make it happen.’ Over the nearly forty years of its development, Ah Pook is Here not only existed in the realm of fiction but also manifested elements that became reality.

Central to this narrative is the character Ah Pook, who embodies the Mayan god of death and regeneration. The intersections of fiction and reality often tread into uncanny territory, echoing the themes of life and mortality. Observed While Falling brings a unique twist to this exploration, as it was intriguingly brought to life by a deceased artist. This artist, who had similarly collaborated with an American writer on Mayan themes 160 years prior, seems to ‘travel’ forward in time, affirming the foundational ideas of Ah Pook and reviving a project that had been dormant for over three decades.

This remarkable blend of fiction and reality results in a one-of-a-kind document. Observed While Falling offers readers an inexplicable correspondence across time, providing an unusual insight into the dynamics between words and images, as well as the energies that drive them. It serves not only as a rare and intimate portrait of one of the twentieth century’s most iconic literary figures, but also as a thorough account of creating a groundbreaking proto-typical graphic novel, long before that term was widely recognized.

This enchanting work is a testament to the enduring nature of creativity and the profound connections that can span generations, illuminating the intricate dance between life, death, and artistic expression.