I purchased this book at Left Hand Books in Seattle when we made a visit there a couple of years ago.

I truly relished trout fishing in America. It was a combination of being funny and sad, tender and harsh, yet overall just enjoyable, creative, and definitely worth reading.

The poems within the book were quite good, although none of them really had a profound impact on me.

I had a difficult time getting fully immersed in "In watermelon sugar". It was interesting and creative, but it just lacked that certain charm that I associated with trout fishing.

Perhaps it was the unique atmosphere and the sense of adventure that trout fishing brought that made it so special in my mind.

Nonetheless, both the experience of trout fishing and reading these works have left a mark on my memories.

And I look forward to more such encounters in the future.

This is truly one of the most remarkable rainbow trouts I have ever come across in my entire life.

Strangely enough, I don't even engage in fishing anymore. This is especially due to the incident that occurred on Route 65.

One fateful day, as I was driving along, the cattle had come out to graze. I didn't notice them in time, and in a desperate attempt to avoid hitting them, I swerved my truck.

Unfortunately, this sudden maneuver caused my truck to topple over. And to make matters worse, the trouts that I used for catching trout ended up getting broken.

Now, I find myself in a rather peculiar situation. I can't catch trout with a broken trout. Unless, of course, I can somehow manage to find a trout to trout my trout.

It's a rather absurd and yet somewhat fascinating predicament that I've found myself in.

Who would have thought that a simple drive along Route 65 could lead to such a strange turn of events and the discovery of this amazing rainbow trout?

It just goes to show that life is full of unexpected surprises and that sometimes, the most ordinary moments can turn into something truly extraordinary.

Always spoiler free.

This will be the most difficult review I have ever done because this book is truly beyond description. Richard Brautigan, born in 1935, met a tragic end at the age of 49. He was a counter culture phenomenon and a literary idol in the 1960s and early 1970s, especially among the young adherents of the cultural upheavals and ideals of that era. His works have been lauded as comic genius and an iconoclastic perspective on American life.

He has a unique and humorous way of employing metaphors that can sometimes be uproariously funny and at other times elicit a "What?" followed by a puzzled giggle. The events that unfold in his books and poems are often nonsensical or confounding, and sometimes they left me reading on simply to discover what strange thing would occur next. He presents his material in a rather matter-of-fact manner that some might find really dull. However, it is the humor and off-the-wall ideas that compelled me to keep reading (except for one of the three "books" which I will discuss).

The first book, "Trout Fishing in America," was a bestseller, selling over 2 million copies worldwide. It's not a traditional novel but rather a collection of "slice of life" elements related to the title, written in the first person. Each chapter is 2-4 pages long, and the total in paperback is 112 pages. I attempted to read this on two separate occasions and failed miserably. Perhaps one needs to be under the influence of drugs to appreciate it? Lol.

The second book, "The Pill versus the Springhill Mine Disaster," is actually a collection of short poems. They are mostly quite enjoyable to read due to the metaphors and odd viewpoints. Many of the poems are 5 lines long, and none are more than slightly over 1 page. The poems are all in free verse, lacking rhyme or rhythm.

The last book, "In Watermelon Sugar," took me two attempts to finish. I'm glad I gave it a second chance. It was truly peculiar and kept me a bit off balance much of the time, but in an entertaining way. I never knew what would come next. I adored the strange humor and metaphors. It is a very "matter of fact" account of life in a small community under peculiar circumstances. It could also be considered "slice of life," but a very bewildering one. The ending was hinted at early in the book but was far from what I expected, and I don't think I'll ever be the same after reading it (in a stunned way).

I believe the readership for a book like this may be somewhat limited. If you read "The Hawkline Monster," you got a sense of the metaphors, which is why I chose to read this book. But this book is far more bizarre than "The Hawkline Monster." Reading this book is an opportunity to explore a genre that, as far as I can tell, doesn't exist. It's a chance to read a product that reflects the peculiarities born of the Hippy culture.

I'm glad I read this (or most of it) because it was an experience I don't anticipate ever having again. I also enjoyed the last two sections. But be forewarned... some people think I'm strange. Lol.

I have just completed reading the novel/novella "Trout Fishing in America", not all of the poetry. I was truly captivated by its unique style. The disconnected narrative added an element of intrigue, making it feel like a series of disjointed yet fascinating vignettes. The natural depictions were vivid and immersive, allowing me to envision the landscapes and scenes with great clarity. However, what I especially adored was the surrealism that pervaded the story. The author's pride in the building supply store where one could purchase a trout stream by the foot was palpable, and rightfully so, as it was indeed a highlight. It was even more meaningful for me to come across snippets that were connected to my own life. References to specific parts of San Francisco, Klamath Falls, and even a brief mention of growing up in Winchester, Virginia, created an eerie sense of familiarity. Discovering that the author did research and writing of the book at the Mechanics Institute, where I had just become a member, was a delightful coda.

Nevertheless, I must admit that I didn't fully understand the ending. I'm not sure what mayonnaise has to do with anything, and while I appreciate the concept of found writing, it didn't seem to seamlessly connect with the character or the overall idea of "Trout Fishing in America". Despite this, the novel/novella left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more of the author's works in the future.

Trout fishing was truly remarkable, with its excellent poetic imagery and smooth flow in writing.

It really pushed the boundaries of how long one could engage in reading about trouts, yet in a positive sense.

The poetry within didn't captivate me to the same extent as "In Watermelon Sugar," which I thoroughly relished.

It's the kind of story that keeps you perpetually guessing its meaning, yet without imposing any pressure to uncover it.

This unique quality makes it an engaging and thought-provoking read, allowing the reader to simply soak in the atmosphere and let their imagination run wild.

Whether you're a fan of poetry or just looking for a different kind of literary experience, this work has something to offer.

It challenges you to think outside the box and embrace the ambiguity, making it a memorable addition to any bookshelf.

From In Watermelon Sugar:

“By the way,” Doc Edwards said. “How’s that book coming along?”

“Oh, it’s coming along.”

“Fine. What’s it about?”

“Just what I’m writing down: one word after another.”

“Good.”

So I think you just have to clear your mind of everything and just go on the journey. It’s truly a fun journey, filled with quite imaginative elements. It’s like a 60’s counter culture trip, and that’s exactly what it is.

I liked In Watermelon Sugar more than Trout Fishing, probably because it had a bit of a plot. However, that’s not really all that important since there were a couple of interesting recipes in Trout Fishing. Moreover, the poems in it were good as well. Some of them were actually quite touching, capable of evoking deep emotions within the reader.

This exploration of different literary works and their unique qualities offers a fascinating look into the diverse world of literature.

Brautigan was unable to set the hook.

It seemed as if fate had played a trick on him at that crucial moment. The anticipation had been building, but alas, it all came to naught.

However, on a different note, I do enjoy watermelon. The juicy and refreshing taste of watermelon is like a burst of summer in my mouth.

It is a simple pleasure that can instantly brighten my day. Whether it's on a hot sunny afternoon or as a healthy snack, watermelon always hits the spot.

While Brautigan may have faced disappointment with the hook, I find solace in the deliciousness of watermelon.

It's funny how life has these little contrasts, where one person's misfortune can be offset by another's simple joy.

Maybe that's the beauty of it all, that in the midst of disappointment, there are still things to enjoy and appreciate.

So, while Brautigan may have had his moment of frustration, I'll continue to savor the sweet taste of watermelon and find happiness in the small things.

This was a re-read. "In Watermelon Sugar" is truly one of my all-time favorites. It is an incredibly bizarre, imaginative, poetic, and darkly humorous piece of literature.

Brautigan, as far as I can recall, was a high school dropout. So, contrary to what someone commenting might have wondered, he wasn't smoking weed on any campus.

He was an alcoholic with a tragic childhood. Poor fellow.

Tragically, he committed suicide by blowing his brains out. I vividly remember reading about it in the paper. It really broke my heart. I understand that he was a big fan of Hemingway. I'm not sure if this had any connection to how he chose to end his life.

His decomposing body was discovered in his home in Bolinas. He had been dead for a month or more. He sometimes went to Bolinas to be alone for a week at a time, so no one was initially worried about not hearing from him. That was until it went on for more than a few weeks. They checked, and unfortunately, he was gone.

Brautigan is truly unique. "Trout Fishing" was his bestseller, and while I enjoy reading it, it isn't my favorite among his works. "In Watermelon" holds that special place. I absolutely love his poetic style and his mordant humor.

I think I will explore his daughter's work. I'll begin with "You Can't Catch Death," which is about her father.

I sold my paperback copy of "Trout Fishing in America" for $4.20 on eBay last month. I probably could have easily fetched a few more dollars for it, but you can't win them all! Richard Brautigan likely thought the same as he put the shotgun to his head and pulled the trigger. What a pity!

As I listened to this book in the audible format, I was certain that I must have read it a long time ago, yet none of it seemed even remotely familiar to me. That was until I was almost at the end, and there was the store with the used trout streams for sale. That definitely triggered all kinds of memories!

This is such a classic. But when I asked two 18-year-olds if they had ever heard of this book, of course they hadn't. One even made the rather essential comment about not liking books about fishing.

I don't know exactly how many chapters this book has, but the number is quite high. Most of them are fairly short, which is something I often appreciate in a book. This book is strange, witty, and wonderful, especially for those of us of a certain age who like to pretend that those days back then were the best ever. Which, of course, they weren't. But I'm glad that they recently made this into an audible book, and I'm glad I got the chance to listen to it. And I'm even glad that I passed on my original paperback copy to another person who might cherish it.

In Watermelon Sugar gets 5 stars and is truly one of the strangest, most beautiful things in American literature.

This remarkable work takes readers on a journey to a world that defies convention and imagination. The language used is both lyrical and dreamlike, painting a vivid picture of a place that exists somewhere between reality and fantasy.

The story is filled with unique characters and situations that keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. It explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a way that is both profound and accessible.

Overall, In Watermelon Sugar is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature and is looking for something truly different. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.

It is really crazy to me how Brautigan can form these lovely lines and passages and entire pages that are so curious and singular.

His words have a certain charm that can draw the reader in and make them wonder.

However, then there will be five more pages of utter chaff.

Perhaps I am unused to this style which was once upon a time fresh and interesting?

But so much of this felt completely dull and useless.

It was as if he was just filling up space with words that didn't really mean anything.

And then I would be snared again by something like the Castle of the Cormorants!

That particular piece was truly enchanting and made me forget about the previous dullness.

The times where this collection was very enchanting made it worth sticking through, but I do wish there was more of the good stuff.

I wanted to be constantly engaged and amazed, not just in fits and starts.

Overall, it was a bit of a mixed bag, but there were definitely some shining moments.

I still have the book with notes throughout. It wasn't a required reading either. I recall that it was suggested by a friend and really made an impression on me.

At that time, I must have been going through one of 'those stages' when mayonnaise was the word of the day. Hummm... It's quite strange how certain things stick in our minds. Maybe it was the context in which the word was used or the significance it held for me at that moment.

The book, with its detailed notes, served as a reminder of that particular time in my life. It was like a snapshot of my thoughts and feelings. Even though it wasn't a book that I had to read for school or work, it had a special place in my heart.

Sometimes, the things that have the greatest impact on us are the ones that we least expect. This book, recommended by a friend, turned out to be one of those precious finds. It made me think, it made me feel, and it left a lasting impression.

I'm glad I still have it, and I look forward to revisiting its pages and reliving those memories.