I am currently reading Richard Brautigan's 'Sombrero Fallout' (1976) - an incredible surreal novel where two story lines intertwine - a story about a sombrero fallen from the sky is half-written, then ripped up and thrown in the waste basket, where it, unbeknownst to the author, continues to 'live' and develop into a catastrophic chain of events - the other story line is that of the writer, who ripped up the first story, who pines after his lost love. Written in short bursts, tiny chapters, it is absurdist black humour, while at the same time displaying the real pain of the author-character - who presumably is Brautigan, was briefly married to a Japanese woman, Akiko Yoshimura, although strangely enough, if Wikipedia is right, that would have been after he wrote this book. Perhaps he was with her for a while - it turned sour - then they found each other again?
Anyway, I am reviewing a book before I have even read it completely - I just want to tell you that this one is worth a read - as seems all of Brautigan's stuff. 'Trout fishing in America' is great - as is 'A Confederate General in Big Sur'.
Brautigan also recorded an album - which is worth a listen, maybe two. It is long out of print, but if you hunt around for it you should be able to find it on some sort of blogspot - the title is 'Listening to Richard Brautigan' - go fetch!
It has this beauty of a poem on there:
It has this beauty of a poem on there:
I was googling Brautigan because he is my favorite writer and I found this page. I just wanted to salute your taste as "Sombrero Fallout" is a book I have read many times and have laughed myself to the point of tears each time. You might want to try "Dreaming In Babylon" and also "The Hawkline Monster". Both are masterful in their use of language, and among the funniest novels I have ever read.
ReplyDeleteHe is missed. Be well.