I didn't actually read THIS book, but "The Abortion and Other Short Stories by R. Brautigan".

R. Brautigan is a well-known American author, and his works are often filled with unique charm and profound themes.

This collection of short stories, "The Abortion and Other Short Stories", likely offers a diverse range of narratives that explore various aspects of human nature, society, and the human condition.

Although I haven't had the opportunity to read it myself, I can imagine that Brautigan's writing style would draw readers in and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

Each story might present a different perspective or a thought-provoking idea, allowing readers to gain new insights and expand their understanding of the world around them.

Perhaps one day, I will pick up this book and discover the wonders that lie within its pages.

I have truly experienced a significant transformation in the way I read and write. Before, reading was more of a passive activity for me. I would simply go through the words on the page without much deeper thought or analysis. However, now I have learned to engage more actively with the text. I ask questions, make connections, and try to understand the author's perspective. This has not only enhanced my comprehension but also made reading a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Similarly, my writing has also evolved. I used to struggle with putting my thoughts into words clearly and coherently. But through practice and learning, I have become more confident in expressing myself. I now take the time to plan my writing, organize my ideas, and use appropriate language and grammar. I also seek feedback from others to improve my writing skills. As a result, I am able to communicate my thoughts and ideas more effectively through writing.

In conclusion, this change in the way I read and write has had a profound impact on my learning and personal growth. It has opened up new opportunities for me to explore different ideas and perspectives, and has also helped me to become a better communicator. I look forward to continuing to develop these skills and seeing where they will take me in the future.

Revenge of the Lawn gets 5 stars. It manages to break free from the trout-related limitations of Trout Fishing In America. At the same time, it keeps the episodic, one to two-page snippet structure and the wit and humor that are present in his other works. I think this is the mode I prefer for Brautigan, as shown by the overall 4 stars here. The Abortion starts very promisingly. There's a library of unpublished books that anyone can publish, which is an ode to amateur artistic creation. The women writing about growing plants in a windowless room was a moving metaphor for that process. However, once it changes to the titular abortion, I found less to like. There's nothing really wrong, but it's just not very compelling. So The Wind Won't Blow It All Away is a bit more in line with the Brautigan that I like. It's an ode to a pre-televisual America, with all its dangers (as seen from the death of the poor kid) and its eccentricities. A family takes its living room to the river, fishes but doesn't eat what it catches. Characters whittle away their days on porches mostly in solitude and silence. Kids run around without parental supervision. The death is Brautigan's tacit admission that the world he longs for was a more dangerous one, but one where he felt at home. It's something weirder, more indulgent of the strange ways humans live their lives. Every individual has to construct their own meaning, free from a box that pumps them with prefigured purpose, and is forced to live outside in spaces with each other. Of the river living room couple, he says: "It looked like a fairy tale functioning happily in the post-World War II gothic of America before television crippled the imagination of America and turned people indoors and away from living out their own fantasies with dignity." This may serve as a thesis for a lot of Brautigan's overall style.

Here is a strange question that has come up for me. The book titled "The Secret Life of Pets" has been translated into Persian, and on the first page of the translated book, in the section of details, the original name of the work is titled as such. However, the translated book was 140 - 150 pages long, while this book is nearly 400 - 500 pages.

It makes one wonder if there are significant differences or additional content in the Persian translation compared to the original. Perhaps the translator has added more explanations, footnotes, or has expanded on certain concepts.

Another possibility could be that the formatting or layout of the Persian edition is different, resulting in a larger page count. It would be interesting to compare the two versions side by side to see exactly what the differences are.

This also raises the question of how accurately the translation represents the original work. Are the nuances and subtleties of the English text captured in the Persian translation? These are all aspects that one might consider when looking at a translated work.

Once again, it is evident that Brautigan is a true genius. His work, "The Abortion," is not only filled with profound insights but also brims with a unique sense of comedy. Moreover, his poetry has the power to continuously astonish and amaze me. How I wish I could have been alive during his time to meet him in person. He seems like the kind of person with whom one could have a wonderful cup of coffee and engage in deep and meaningful conversations. What I truly love about Brautigan is his ability to focus on the tiniest of things in life and expand upon them in the most interesting and thought-provoking ways. He is definitely the sort of author who compels you to reevaluate and reconsider how you view the world around you. His words have the potential to open your eyes to new perspectives and make you see the beauty and significance in the simplest of things.

Good Lord.

I simply cannot reread or review this objectively.

Never mind the remarkable precision with which he captures and presents his characters in "Revenge of the Lawn", or the fantastically well-imagined always open or maybe never closed library of unpublished work in "The Abortion", or just the captivating slowness of "So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away".

I am filled to the brim with love for this book, for Brautigan and his work, even his poetry.

It's one of the few things at fault for the best/worst decision of my life.

The story is as follows: I was determined to be a chemist-philosopher, so I met numerous other prospective students for the college I had my heart set on for my ideal future of idyllic intellectualism.

I swapped book recommendations with my fellow prospies.

I was wait-listed and then rejected.

I ended up at an art school's writing program.

Blame this collection for that last sentence.

It's no doubt that it's not in "Watermelon Sugar", but the unique style is indeed present throughout the text.

On numerous pages, it truly strikes a chord with the readers. The author's distinct way of writing shines through, captivating the audience and making them feel a deep connection to the words.

Each page seems to hold a new discovery, a new moment of realization that hits home. Whether it's a profound thought, a vivid description, or a relatable emotion, the text has the power to touch the hearts and minds of those who read it.

It's this ability to engage and resonate that makes the work so special and sets it apart from others. The inimitable style weaves a spell that keeps the readers hooked from beginning to end.

Three Brautigan books in one binding... what a deal!! I was debating on buying this volume or a box of .22 shells. Glad I went with the book... but will know later in life if that decision was sound.

The first book, with its edges glued to a cover featuring a somewhat skinny looking David Crosby (Brautigan) and a brunette who was probably part of the Manson gang, is a collection of short stories and short short stories. It includes two lost chapters from his book 'Trout Fishing in America'. Not that he found them... he rewrote them from memory. So the two lost chapters were probably totally different. His short stories are like little bites of life, similar to those pats of butter wrapped in silver foil you get in cheap restaurants, tasty steaks that linger in your mouth long after you swallowed. I really liked the titled story 'Revenge of the Lawn', 'Complicated Banking Problems', and 'Lint'. In fact, I really liked them all. I'm just not going to name them all. Visit a bookstore and read the table of contents. Save me the time. They were all little masterpieces.

The second book, 'The Abortion', had me laughing (not out loud... more of an internal belly laugh which is kind of like a digestive disruption or silent burp but in a tickled kind of fashion). I loved the idea of the library. I want to start one. I want to work in one. I want to live in one. I want a girl like in the story to come to the door and never leave me. I don't want her to get pregnant because I do not want to go to Tijuana.

The last book, 'So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away', left me a little sad. It certainly had the Brautigan stamp on it. It had its moments that were so surreal they were actually real (we forget sometimes how absurd life can be). A boy comes to a crossroads where he must decide on a box of .22 shells or a hamburger. Such a mundane decision can lead to tragic consequences. I wish Brautigan would have gone for the hamburger. Even if it was flat, he may still be alive today. This book was published shortly before his suicide. The melancholy in this book sticks to your fingers as you turn the page. Now I'm afraid to lick my fingers. But the hamburger I just ate was so damn good I will anyway.

Thank you Richard Brautigan for capturing a time, a place, a state of mind and chronicling it for readers who made it to the twenty-first century.

I want to live on a pond in a shack made of crates and watch people fish from their outdoor living room. You made me envy. That's one of the 7 deadly sins damn it. If I was Catholic I'd have to say some Hail Marys. But since I'm not I'll just make a drink, sit in my swing, close my eyes, and get my tennis shoes wet walking a dingy little pier out into the pond... and maybe buy a hamburger.

I actually didn't read the last book yet.

However, I'd already read "Revenge of the Lawn", which is truly great.

The story in it is engaging and full of interesting twists and turns.

It keeps you hooked from the beginning to the end.

On the other hand, "The Abortion" is okay.

But it's weirdly problematic.

There are some aspects of the plot or the characters that seem a bit off or hard to understand.

Maybe it's the way the author presents certain ideas or the decisions the characters make.

Overall, while "Revenge of the Lawn" is a great read, "The Abortion" has its flaws that make it a bit less satisfying.

I'm still looking forward to reading the last book to see if it can make up for the shortcomings of "The Abortion".

Rereading some of these after many decades has been a treat.

It's truly amazing how time can make us forget the wonderful qualities of certain works. I had completely forgotten just how entertaining his prose can be. The way he weaves words together, creates vivid images, and tells engaging stories is simply captivating.

It's well worth your time to explore these works. You'll be surprised by the depth and beauty that lies within. Whether you're a lover of literature or simply looking for an enjoyable read, his prose is sure to satisfy. So, don't hesitate to pick up one of his books and embark on a literary journey. You won't be disappointed.

"So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away" is an enchanting story that revolves around a boy who makes a rather unexpected and perhaps unwise choice. Instead of purchasing a delicious hamburger, which one might typically expect, he opts to buy bullets. This decision sets the stage for a series of events that unfold in a rather surreal manner. It showcases Brautigan's remarkable talent for creating a world that is both strange and captivating. The story takes the reader on a journey through the boy's experiences, filled with elements of fantasy and the unexpected. It's a prime example of Brautigan's unique brand of surrealism, where the ordinary is transformed into something extraordinary. As we follow the boy's adventures, we are drawn into a world where the rules of reality seem to bend and where the simplest of choices can have far-reaching consequences.

“Revenge of the Lawn” - ****

This story seems to hold a certain allure, perhaps with a plot that unfolds in an unexpected and engaging manner. The four stars suggest that it has elements that draw readers in and keep them hooked.

“The Abortion” - **1/2

With a rating of **1/2, this piece might have some interesting aspects, but perhaps it also has its flaws. It could be that the story doesn't quite reach the heights that some readers were hoping for.

“So the Wind Won’t Blow It All Away” - *****

The five stars for this story indicate that it is a real gem. It likely has a captivating narrative, well-developed characters, and a theme that resonates deeply with the readers.

I guess it evens all out, one way or another.

In the end, it seems that each of these works has its own merits and drawbacks. Some may excel in certain areas while falling short in others. But that's the beauty of literature, it offers a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Whether a story is a four-star hit or a two-and-a-half-star miss, it still has the power to touch our hearts and minds in different ways.