I have an intense love for everything that he has written.

Reading his works is like embarking on a unique journey. You can't always approach it with a solemn and serious mindset.

What makes his writing truly remarkable is the perfect blend of the sadness and insanity that pervades everyday life.

He has this extraordinary ability to capture the essence of our ordinary existence, with all its flaws and uncertainties, and present it in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

His words have the power to make us laugh, cry, and everything in between, as we recognize the familiar emotions and experiences within ourselves.

Whether it's a short story, a novel, or a poem, his writing always manages to touch our hearts and leave a lasting impression.

I find myself constantly drawn back to his works, eager to explore the depths of his imagination and gain a deeper understanding of the human condition.

In a world where so much writing can seem平淡无奇, his works stand out as a shining example of true literary genius.

This was fun, really.

It was an extremely enjoyable experience to read this book.

The story within its pages was engaging and filled with excitement.

From the very first sentence, it had me hooked and eager to turn the next page.

The characters were well-developed and their adventures were thrilling.

It was like going on a journey with them, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

Each chapter brought new surprises and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Whether it was a heart-pounding action scene or a touching moment of friendship, this book had it all.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created.

It was a truly fun book to read and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great escape.

Wonderful and Just Weird Enough

Each story within this collection is truly a gem. It is not only funny, but also deeply thought provoking and highly entertaining. In fact, I found myself chuckling out loud more times while reading this than I can recall with any other book. I'm relatively new to the works of Brautigan, but I've noticed that this particular one seems to be more linear compared to his other books such as "Trout," "Spring Hill," and "Watermelon." This linearity makes it easier to fully appreciate his playful, almost childlike directness. His mind discovers, processes, and repeats ideas in a humorous way, and then wanders again with an oddly familiar purpose. When set against these more grounded yet thoroughly enjoyable backdrops, it creates a unique reading experience. I especially love how the concept of 'distraction' weaves through each story, becoming a strange yet welcome companion. I'm rapidly becoming a big fan of Richard Brautigan, and it's a bittersweet feeling knowing that there won't be a whole lot more of his work for me to explore. However, I'm grateful for the wonderful stories I've already encountered and look forward to rereading them in the future.

Thanks to Steve for reminding me to add these books.

I think he and I read these in high school.

It was either right around the same time, or he got me hooked.

I can't quite remember which one it was.

But what I do vividly remember is the surreal nature of many of the stories.

They were so simple, yet at the same time, they held an incredible power.

The simplicity of the stories allowed for a direct connection with the reader, making it easy to understand and relate to the characters and their experiences.

However, the power within these stories came from their ability to transport the reader to another world, a world filled with strange and wonderful things.

It was as if the authors had tapped into a hidden well of creativity and were able to share it with us through their words.

These books truly had a profound impact on me and have stayed with me throughout the years.

I do not think I will ever forget The Hawkline Monster.

It has truly stuck with me, and it comes to mind at the strangest of times.

Maybe it's when I'm walking down a quiet street, or when I'm lying in bed at night.

The story has a certain allure that keeps pulling me back.

I would really like to read it again, but this time in the desert.

There's something about the vastness and solitude of the desert that I think would enhance the reading experience.

I imagine myself sitting under a large rock, the hot sun beating down, as I lose myself in the pages of The Hawkline Monster.

The desert's harsh beauty and the strange events in the story would blend together, creating a unique and unforgettable experience.

I can't wait to embark on this new reading adventure and see what new insights and emotions The Hawkline Monster will bring.

All three of the books in this compilation are truly remarkable. They possess a unique charm that combines beauty, absurdity, and shamelessness in the most captivating way. The author of these books clearly had a deep understanding of his craft and knew precisely what he was doing. His ability to create such engaging and thought-provoking works is truly admirable. Each book takes the reader on a wild and wonderful journey, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The beauty lies in the vivid descriptions and the rich tapestry of characters and settings. The absurdity adds a touch of humor and lightheartedness, making the reading experience all the more enjoyable. And the shamelessness? Well, it gives the books a certain edge and boldness that sets them apart from the rest. Overall, this compilation is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

I have a deep affection for all three of these works. They are extremely simple to read, filled with a childlike whimsy that instantly captures the reader's heart.

Moreover, they are abundant in San Francisco-ish scenes that vividly描绘 the Beat and the hippie eras. It's truly a treat to immerse oneself in these pages and experience the unique atmosphere of that time and place.

I find it difficult to think of another writer whom I could compare him to. His books possess a voracious quality, drawing the reader in and making them eager to devour every word. They are also charmingly written, with a certain allure that is hard to resist.

In a sense, his works are quintessentially American, much like those of Whitman. They capture the spirit and essence of the nation, its dreams, and its people. It's no wonder that his books have gained such popularity and continue to be beloved by readers around the world.

RE: A Confederate General from Big Sur.

This is a truly entertaining comic novel that takes us into the world of a couple of Beat-era wastrels in Northern California. Or perhaps it's more of a novella, as it surely can't be fifty thousand words. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I'm not entirely convinced that there's an enormous amount of depth there. It's my first Brautigan, and I have two more to go through before I make any broader decisions about the man. I know you're all eagerly anticipating my verdict, but you'll just have to wait.

RE: Dreaming of Babylon.

Brautigan's gonzo comic voice shines through in this work, which has the bare bones of a classic Hammet/Chandler PI plot. If I don't write much about it, it's because there isn't an abundance to write. Other than the fact that Brautigan is laugh-out-loud funny, and this was a real delight.

RE: The Hawkline Monster.

This is the last of these Brautigan shorts, and I think it's my least favorite. That doesn't mean it's bad at all. It's weird and savage, a truly original work of genre fiction. It's sort of like a sci-fi True Grit, about two murderers who are hired by two sisters to kill a monster their professor father created in their laboratory. I liked it, and its influence is clear (Sister's Brothers, and many other books). But for my taste, Brautigan's genre pastiche is less entertaining than the raw humor of his prose. Not surprisingly, I enjoyed Confederate more than this or Babylon. Still, these three works together present a strong case for spending more time with Brautigan. Something I plan to do once I've read about two dozen other books in my queue.

There is indeed some merit to this form. However, it is highly subjective, and my opinion regarding it has been constantly changing.

The real problem lies in the subject matter. It contains some truly... concerning... elements that have not aged well at all.

I am unsure as to why this was once regarded as the pinnacle of fiction.

Perhaps it was due to the cultural and social context in which it was created. Or maybe it was because of the author's skill in presenting the story.

Nevertheless, as time has passed, these concerning elements have become more prominent and have detracted from the overall quality of the work.

It is important to view such works with a critical eye and to consider how they fit into the broader context of literature and society.

I recently read The Hawkline Monster from this trilogy.

At first glance, it seemed quite interesting. The story had a certain charm that drew me in. However, as I delved deeper, I couldn't help but notice that it hasn't really aged well.

The language and some of the themes felt a bit dated compared to modern literature.

I can understand why the author was once regarded as such a good writer. His talent was evident in certain aspects of the book.

But when it comes to this particular work, I have to admit that it was not his best.

Perhaps it was a product of its time, or maybe the author had other masterpieces that outshone this one.

Nevertheless, it was still an interesting read that gave me some insights into the author's writing style and the era in which it was written.

Overall, while The Hawkline Monster had its moments, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Wonderful reading!

I know of no other books like these. They are truly unique and one-of-a-kind. There is no other author quite like dear Richard Brautigan. His writing style is so distinct and captivating.

His books are exactly like every photograph I have ever seen of him. They seem to capture his essence and spirit, just as a photograph does. When you read his words, it's as if you can see his face, his expressions, and feel his presence.

Each page is like a window into his world, a world full of imagination, creativity, and a touch of the absurd. His stories take you on a journey that is both unexpected and unforgettable.

Whether you are a fan of literature or just looking for a good read, Richard Brautigan's books are definitely worth checking out. You will be amazed by his talent and the beauty of his words.

Richard Brautigan is truly a one-of-a-kind author. His works are an absolute joy to engage with.

Some people have commented that "A Confederate General from Big Sur" is like Brautigan shouting, "Look at how crazy I and my wacky homeless friends are." While they're not entirely incorrect, they fail to grasp the essence. Brautigan's uniquely charming, poetic, and absurdist perspective on the world pulls you into a lifestyle that was only possible in a particular era. It must have been a remarkable sight to witness, let alone experience. 8/10

"Dreaming of Babylon" is my favorite among these. I'm currently occupied with the task of adapting it into a theater production to see if it would succeed. On one hand, this is a rather challenging process as, similar to "A Confederate General," much of the magic lies in Brautigan's writing. On the other hand, the dialogue is so creative and hilarious that it almost has to work. Brautigan has a very special approach to noir. If you think about the story for too long, a lot of it is quite dark and moody. However, he subverts the genre by infusing his poetic and associative writing style into a whimsical and hilarious tale about a detective whose involvement in World War II ended in 1932 when he was shot in the butt in Spain while fighting for the communists, with whom he had no ideological common ground; he just hoped it would resemble Ancient Babylon. 9/10

"The Hawkline Monster" is a bit of a mixed bag for me. It's still enjoyable and a very clever subversion and combination of genres. However, I personally believe that the graphic sex involving the underage character was not necessary for telling this story. I adored the nature and dynamics of the monster and its shadow creeping through the mansion (it's a very vivid image made possible by the excellent descriptive writing), and the absurd tricks they play on the inhabitants of the house. There's some great humor here, but given that Brautigan wrote it, that shouldn't be a surprise. 7.5/10