And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks is a collaborative novel written by two of the most iconic figures of the Beat Generation, Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. The book is based on the real-life murder of David Kammerer by Lucien Carr, both part of the Beat circle, in 1944. Presented through alternating chapters written by the two authors, the novel delves into the lives of young bohemians in New York City, offering a raw and gritty portrayal of a subculture on the brink of transformation.

The novel’s title comes from a bizarre line heard on a radio broadcast about a circus fire, embodying the surreal and chaotic energy of the story. Though written in 1945, it remained unpublished until 2008, as its controversial subject matter was deemed too sensitive at the time. The book provides a unique window into the formative years of two literary giants and the events that shaped the Beat movement.