This was a trip!

I mean, I think I had an inkling of what I was getting into when I picked this up. This is the kind of "counterculture classic" that I thought I was familiar with - but it still managed to surprise me.

First of all, I would say that reading these 3 books in one sitting was probably not the wisest choice. I didn't realize that "Trout Fishing in America" ended and "The Pill vs. the Springhill Mine Disaster" began until about halfway through. I really needed to spend more time with the first book - because it's so whimsical and playful that I'm not entirely sure I fully grasped it. It's basically a series of vignettes held together by the thread of trout fishing.

"The Pill vs. the Springhill Mine Disaster" is an excellent collection of poems that truly capture the mood of 2020 for me.

And the final book, "In Watermelon Sugar," is similar to "Trout Fishing" but more linear, and perhaps I related to it more on that level.

Overall, it was a unique and thought-provoking reading experience that I won't soon forget.

Trout Fishing in America: Good, Weird, Hilarious

This title immediately grabs your attention. It makes you wonder what kind of strange and entertaining adventures await in the world of trout fishing in America. Is it filled with unique characters, unexpected twists, and side-splitting moments? We can only imagine the stories that could unfold.
Pill Versus.....: Some Very Good Poems, Some Very Bad Poems

The concept of comparing pills to something else in the context of poetry is quite intriguing. It makes you curious about what the pills might symbolize and how they relate to the quality of the poems. Are the good poems like effective pills that cure our literary ailments, while the bad poems are like placebos that offer no real substance? It's a thought-provoking title that leaves room for interpretation.
In Watermelon Sugar: FANTASTIC but I'm 100% Sure Harry Styles Did Not Understand What It Was About. I Didn't Really Understand What It Was About Either but I Do Think He Really Missed the Boat on This One

This title is both enthusiastic and critical. It praises the book "In Watermelon Sugar" as being fantastic, but then goes on to question whether Harry Styles truly grasped its meaning. The author admits that they themselves didn't fully understand it either, but still believes that Styles missed an opportunity to appreciate its depth. It makes you wonder what exactly makes this book so special and why the author feels that Styles didn't get it.

Trout Fishing in America: 1 ⭐

I have to say that I really feel as if one needs to be American, and preferably an old American, in order to truly enjoy this story. There seems to be something about it that might not resonate as strongly with those who are not from that specific cultural background. Maybe it's the references or the overall tone that makes it a bit more niche.

The Pill versus the Springhill Mine Disaster: 3.5 ⭐

This is some truly beautiful poetry. I really, really enjoyed it! The words flow so smoothly and paint such vivid pictures in my mind. It's one of those works that you can read over and over again and still find new things to appreciate. The author has a real talent for using language to convey emotions and ideas.

In Watermelon Sugar: 4.5 ⭐

What a wonderful story this is! I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and engaging read. The world that the author has created is both strange and captivating, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

In Watermelon Sugar brought to my mind, in a particular manner, the Unthank segments of Alasdair Gray's Lanark. You're constantly left in a state of uncertainty as to whether the world it depicts is our own, an alternate dimension, our world in a post-apocalyptic condition, or maybe even the afterlife. I bring up "post-apocalyptic" not because it appears as a hostile wasteland (in fact, the world it describes is rather magical and beautiful), but because there are inklings of mysterious "forgotten things", hinting that perhaps this is a world populated by our descendants - yet that's merely a possibility and by no means the main point. Similar to Unthank, this world is a dreamlike one that seems to have its own unique laws of nature and physics. However, in In Watermelon Sugar, it's a pastoral, agrarian existence rather than an urban, industrial one. I truly relished In Watermelon Sugar, but the first and most renowned section of this omnibus, Trout Fishing in America, was my absolute favorite. What truly amazed me was that even when it seems outlandish, it remains believable, creating the impression that this was an actual event that occurred to the author or someone he knew, but then was distorted through a warped lens of poetic vision.

My review of Trout Fishing in America is here:

This is a remarkable piece of work that offers a unique perspective on life and fishing. The story takes readers on a journey through the eyes of the author, as he explores the art of trout fishing and the lessons it teaches.

The writing is engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the natural world and the experiences of the characters. The author's love for fishing shines through on every page, making it easy for readers to become invested in the story.

Overall, Trout Fishing in America is a must-read for anyone who enjoys fishing or is interested in exploring the deeper meaning of life. It's a book that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures in life and the importance of taking the time to enjoy them.

For a more in-depth look at my review, please visit the following link:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Three short reviews for three short books:

Trout Fishing in America - I truly enjoyed this one. It has a zen-like quality in its appreciation for the everyday "mundane" life, yet it also takes an absolutely absurd departure from the state of normality. These short stories delicately tread the line between being prose and poetry. The author's unique style and perspective make it a captivating read. I would rate it 4/5.

The Pill versus the Springhill Mine Disaster - This is a collection of short poems in the classic Brautigan style, which is irreverent, charming, and somewhat stream of consciousness-esque. A few of the poems are really remarkable, such as "All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace", which offers a 60s take on a techno-utopian future. However, the majority of the poems are just fine and nothing exceptional. Overall, I would give it a rating of 3/5.

In Watermelon Sugar - I didn't like this one at all. It's a really crazy post-apocalyptic story that involves a couple of communes, intelligent tigers, and a world where everything is made from watermelon sugar. While the surrealistic world is interesting, there isn't a lot of content or story flow. It seems to have been written in a stream of consciousness style, and as a result, the story never has a compelling fluidity to it. It's decently well written, but ultimately lacking in any compelling substance, in my opinion. I would rate it 1/5.

Overall, based on these three reviews, I would give an average rating of 3/5.

I have an intense passion for Richard Brautigan's poetry. It truly captivates my soul. One of my absolute favorites is his "Karma Repair Kit: Items 1-4".

Item 1 simply states to get enough food to eat and then consume it. It's a basic yet profound concept.

Item 2 advises finding a quiet place to sleep and then doing just that. In our noisy world, the importance of a peaceful slumber cannot be overstated.

Item 3 is about reducing intellectual and emotional noise until one arrives at the silence within oneself and listens to it. This is a journey of self-discovery and inner peace.

Although the fourth item is left blank, it leaves room for our own interpretations and reflections.

The story "In Watermelon Sugar" was one of the strangest things I've ever had the pleasure of reading. And considering my penchant for the unusual, that's saying a great deal. I thoroughly enjoy it.

However, in my opinion, the first story, "Trout Fishing in America", can perhaps be skipped. It didn't quite have the same impact on me as the others.

Some kind of strange combination of Italo Calvino and Lewis Carroll? It's truly weird.

However, I'm a fan. Among all the works, I like The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster the best. The reason is that I naturally have a tendency towards poetry. This piece is like a sexy fist fight between Robert Creeley and Charles Bukowski. It combines the unique styles and charms of different poets, creating a captivating and unforgettable reading experience. The vivid and intense language used in it makes me feel as if I am directly involved in that passionate battle of words and emotions. It's a work that not only showcases the power of poetry but also leaves a deep impression on the reader's heart and mind.

I have a deep affection for each and every one of the books that are part of this collection. However, "In Watermelon Sugar" holds a special place in my heart and is likely my absolute favorite.

When I was between the ages of 21 and 22, I went through a phase where I was really into the Beat movement. But, curiously enough, I wasn't even aware of Brautigan's work during that time.

I'm actually quite glad that I didn't come across it until more recently. The reason being that I'm not entirely certain if I would have been as drawn to it back then.

A while ago, my friend Max gave me a tape that had recordings of Brautigan reading. Interestingly, it doesn't seem overly difficult to track down such recordings online. If you're interested, all you have to do is simply search for "listening to Brautigan".

These recordings are truly at their best when you're lying on a couch on a rainy day, allowing yourself to get completely immersed in the words and the atmosphere that Brautigan creates.

I'd have to say I liked it. It was about as much as I'd like an acid trip.

His writing is truly remarkable, filled with amazing metaphors that keep you on the edge of your seat. You never ever know what he's concocting with his words and images. It's like a wild ride through a creative mind.

However, it's also a sad commentary on a person who had a sad - though brilliant - life. The end of the book was just quite brilliant as well. It left a lasting impression.

Yes, to read Brautigan is absolutely important. But it's not because it leaves you with a satisfied feeling. Instead, it gives you an empty one. It makes you think and question, and that's what makes his work so unique and powerful.

Overall, reading Brautigan is an experience that you won't forget. It's a journey into the mind of a genius, and it's one that I would highly recommend.

Fantastic!

Somewhat eye-crossing, indeed. This particular volume combines several of Brautigan's works, including a volume of largely excellent and surprising poetry. Thus, I must return to it (not an unpleasant task at all!) to take my time over each work in turn.

"Trout Fishing in America," while by far the least accessible work in the compilation in terms of prose, got me sort of humming in its groove. You could hear it stream by in your head, a voice from that particular America. It's the dry, lightly skipping voice of that ramblin' man, reeling out in a line of cigarette (bummed) smoke, tickled by the passing mountain breeze. Good stuff! Frequently funny in such a way that I laughed out loud.

It serves as the perfect primer to enter into "The Pill versus the Springhill Mine Disaster" (the poetry volume). Each perceptive slice, often striking and moving, more often delightful and wicked, pops like a spoken parcel into your mind's ear, a quick flash of pinwheel behind your eyes.

"In Watermelon Sugar" will be the particular recipient of my second lingering look. It begs to be read seventy or so pages in sequence. I may be able to re-read it for the rest of my life, as the mood strikes. And it shall, when I least expect it. It's a strange, delicately brushed portrait of an equally strange place of half-life, supersaturated with meditation and confusion, in the constant presence of death and knowing only symbolism. Giant statues of vegetables, peaceful, oddly removed citizens concerned with rivers, soft lights, glass coffins... Renegade ruffians living at the edge of a vast junkyard of all our yesterdays... people who ask mild questions and receive sudden, violent answers. Very quiet. Very fine.

Incredible tripe from a master of pretentious tripe.

July 29, 2016

This review is from: Richard Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America, The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster, and In Watermelon Sugar (Paperback)

Multiple people have endeavored to convince me that Brautigan is a great American author. I gave a try to Trout Fishing in America, Watermelon Sugar, and Rommel drives on Deep Into Egypt during my college days. Why I made the attempt to read Brautigan once more, I truly have no idea. What I do know for certain is that his writing has not shown any improvement as he has aged. His works seem to be filled with convoluted and often meaningless prose that fails to engage the reader on a deeper level. It's as if he is more concerned with sounding profound than actually communicating something of substance. Despite the efforts of those who praise his work, I remain unimpressed and firmly believe that his reputation as a great author is highly overrated.