I am extremely eager to purchase this and commence reading! RB holds a special place in my heart as my all-time favorite poet. His works have always had a profound impact on me, captivating my imagination and touching my soul.

I am truly fascinated by his unique style, the way he weaves words together to create beautiful and meaningful poems. I long to delve deeper into his life and understand the inspirations behind his masterpieces.

By reading this, I hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of RB's poetic journey and the emotions he sought to convey through his writings. I believe it will be an enriching and enlightening experience that will further deepen my appreciation for his art.

I can hardly contain my excitement at the thought of uncovering the hidden gems within these pages and immersing myself in the world of RB's poetry. It is going to be an adventure like no other, and I can't wait to embark on it.

Like her father's writing, Ianthe Brautigan's memoir, You Can't Catch Death, beautifully melds sorrow and beauty.

In this deeply intimate work, she bares her soul as she works through the pain and guilt resulting from her famous father's suicide, while also grappling with the mystery of his contradictions.

I have been immersing myself in Richard Brautigan's world, rereading his works and delving into William Hjortsberg's extensive biography of him. However, this short book offers the most personal and poignant glimpse into his tragic life.

It contains moments that are both horrifying and filled with sorrow and longing. By sharing the story of her relationship with the father she loved and mourns, Ianthe reveals not only her father but also herself, in all the complex emotions of sorrow and beauty.

Her words paint a vivid picture of a父女 relationship that was both profound and troubled, and her journey of coming to terms with her father's death is a powerful and moving one.

This memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in Richard Brautigan's life and work, as well as for those who appreciate a beautifully written and deeply personal story.

Richard Brautigan's daughter, Ianthe, pens an extremely honest narrative about her father.

She delves into his artistic process, revealing the inner workings of his creative mind.

She also openly discusses his arduous struggles with depression and alcoholism, painting a vivid picture of the turmoil he endured.

Moreover, Ianthe shares her own heroic strength, having grown up as a witness to all of this.

Her unwavering loyalty and deep love for her father are palpable in every sentence she writes.

It is a moving and powerful account that offers a unique perspective on Richard Brautigan and the complex relationship between a father and daughter.

Readers will be touched by Ianthe's courage and honesty as she bares her soul and shares her story with the world.

My favorite author's daughter's memoir of him is an absolute gem.

It is beautifully written, with a prose that flows like a gentle river.

As I read through the pages, I can hear the echoes of her dad's voice and spirit.

Her words paint a vivid picture of their relationship, filled with love, laughter, and sometimes, tears.

She shares intimate details of his life, his struggles, and his triumphs, making him come alive in my imagination.

The memoir is not just a tribute to her father, but also a celebration of their bond.

It shows how a parent's influence can shape a child's life and how that love can be passed down through the generations.

I am truly grateful to have discovered this memoir and to have had the opportunity to get to know my favorite author in a whole new way.

It has left a lasting impression on me and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Although this book provided insights into Richard Brautigan's life that only Ianthe could offer, I'm not entirely certain that it was written in the exact tone or with the same magic that would have been truly admirable and delicious as a memoir dedicated to an author who, upon reading his work, makes me absolutely childishly delighted.

It would have been wonderful if some of the Brautigan magic could have been more evident in this book. However, I suppose the sole purpose of a memoir isn't solely to delight or fill the reader with a sense of magic or happiness.

I found that the writing style lacked a bit of luster for me. In fact, the only parts I could truly enjoy were the memories of her father. I think this might have been a better read had she first painted a vivid picture of herself and the ways in which her life had changed because of her father.

I believe the links were too few and far between. For example, Ianthe's reasoning for giving up drinking is hardly related to her father. An introduction to who Ianthe is would have proven to be a better means for understanding her memories and mindset.

Nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable read and offers a unique and unknown glimpse into her father's life, a perspective that only she could provide.

Maybe We Both Went Home

In 1984, Richard Brautigan committed suicide. After that, his daughter embarked on a road trip to Eugene, Oregon. Her purpose was to search for evidence of her father's childhood. During the journey, through her grandmother, she discovered her own voice, which ironically was shared with her friend Cadence. She also found that she had an aptitude for writing, an ability that has been further honed by obtaining an MFA.

Ianthe's quest was "a lifetime wish to see where my father came from and what he fled." Her greatest fear was that she might discover in herself a disposition towards suicide, or at least alcoholism and depression. However, her family and friends managed to convince her that "you can't catch death," as if it were something contagious that could infect her and, by extension, her own progeny.

Ultimately, this is more of Ianthe's story than Richard's. Although readers can glean some biographical details from the memoir, it doesn't particularly shed light on his writing. It's sufficient that his daughter managed to paint and preserve a portrait of her father and his family from her perspective before she, in turn, passes away and it is lost to her own daughter, Elizabeth. As she said, "I'm going to walk the same paths he did, look at the same trout streams he did, see the house he lived in." Paradoxically, this allows us to focus on what truly matters, Richard Brautigan's writing, rather than the circumstances of his death, like Kurt Cobain.

Footnotes:

* Richard Brautigan was six feet six inches tall at the age of twenty-one.

* Due to scoliosis in his back, he stood slightly crooked.

* He also had the habit of biting his fingernails down to the quick.

* He wore size thirteen shoes.

* He spent a brief period in the mental institution (Oregon State Hospital) where the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was filmed. There, he received electroconvulsive therapy.

* As a child, he was terrified of statues because he thought they were real people who had been covered alive.

* Cadence believed that Richard Brautigan was autocratic, self-centered, and arbitrary.

* Brautigan loved to play Dolly Parton's song "Jolene" repeatedly.

VERSE:

Trout Eating in Oregon
[In Some of the Words of Ian the Brautigan]

I ate a trout,
Freshly caught,
Baked in tinfoil,
Nice crispy skin,
Light flaky flesh,
In a tiny
Roadside diner
Perched on the side
Of the road in
The river town
Of Vida, upstate
Oregon.

SOUNDTRACK:

Dolly Parton - "Jolene"

https://youtu.be/Ixrje2rXLMA

While those eager to uncover the nitty-gritty details regarding her father's wild escapades and tragic destiny will indeed discover some within these pages,

the most lasting and poignant details that Ms. Brautigan pens down are her reminiscences of the gentle, caring facet of her father.

She leads the reader on a personal odyssey to recall him through the power of writing,

and I was truly struck by how vividly real and profoundly impactful her account was.

It was as if she was able to bring her father back to life, not just in her own memories but also in the minds of the readers.

The way she described his quiet moments, his acts of kindness, and the love he had for her and those around him made me feel as if I had known him myself.

Ms. Brautigan's writing is a beautiful tribute to her father, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and celebrating the people who have touched our lives.

Truth be told, I have not read anything written by the late counter culture literary icon Richard Brautigan.

His daughter, Iolanthe's biography of her dad is truly remarkable. It is moving, straight forward, nostalgic, and hopeful, rather than maudlin and pondering. Brautigan's decision to take his own life is a tragic event that has left many people wondering. Suicide, by its very nature, has the power to turn loved ones and even somewhat interested strangers into detectives.

Why did he do it? What could have prevented it? What were the deep, dark secrets that drove him to this self-destructive act?

Thankfully, Iolanthe avoids delving into all of that. Instead, she speaks directly from her own understanding and experience of what and who her dad was to her.

This is a great book and a wonderful tribute, with no attempt to solve the mystery of his suicide.

After reading this review, I feel it is time for me to pick up some of Richard Brautigan's works and explore his unique literary world.

The always essential counterpoint to the 'tragic genius' that history creates and recreates.

Here is a woman who is bestowed with a rich, free, yet troubled life by her brilliant father, who was constantly plagued by mental illness.

Her story is more about the fact that you don't necessarily have to inherit the legacy of your famous parent. She has her own path to forge, her own identity to discover. Despite the shadow cast by her father's reputation and his inner turmoil, she has the opportunity to define herself on her own terms.

She can choose to embrace the good aspects of her father's genius while also learning from his mistakes and avoiding the pitfalls that plagued him. Her life is a testament to the idea that one's destiny is not solely determined by the achievements or failures of their ancestors. Instead, she has the power to shape her own future and create a legacy that is uniquely hers.

I had the impression that she was a truly outstanding writer.

Her words seemed to flow effortlessly, painting vivid pictures in the minds of the readers.

Every sentence she crafted was like a precious gem, shining with clarity and depth.

Her stories had the power to transport the audience to different worlds, making them feel a wide range of emotions.

Whether it was a heartwarming tale or a thrilling mystery, she knew exactly how to engage her readers and keep them on the edge of their seats.

I was always amazed by her ability to bring characters to life, making them seem so real and relatable.

Her writing style was unique and captivating, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who had the pleasure of reading her work.

Overall, I firmly believed that she was a remarkable writer with a special gift for storytelling.

How does a 24-year-old cope when her father commits suicide? It's an unimaginable situation, but for Ianthe, writing became her salvation.

Through the process of putting her thoughts and emotions on paper, she was able to find a way to deal with the pain and grief.

Her experience is not only a personal one but also a powerful reminder of the healing power of writing.

Reading about her journey in this book makes me deeply curious and eager to explore her father's works.

I wonder what kind of man he was, what his writing was like, and how it might have influenced Ianthe.

This book has opened up a new world for me, and I look forward to delving deeper into it.

This beautiful little volume is truly a tender love letter.

It is written by a daughter, Ianthe, to her troubled father, the renowned author Richard Brautigan.

Tragically, Richard Brautigan lapsed into alcoholism and ultimately took his own life in 1984.

Growing up, Ianthe had to move from house to house between her two separated parents.

This surely couldn't have been an easy experience, yet she describes her childhood as generally a happy one.

The book includes some of the best Brautigan anecdotes.

When told from the vantage point of a young girl who loves her father, they take on a slightly different character.

Ianthe handles her father's gradual descent into alcoholism and paranoia with great gentleness.

Near the end of her memoir, Ianthe embarks on a journey to seek out the grandmother she never knew.

This grandmother was the mother that Brautigan walked away from many years before and repudiated throughout his life.

Her meeting with her grandmother represents a kind of redemption for Ianthe and a precious chance to understand her father better.

Another powerful aspect of this book is Ianthe's style.

Whether it is intentional or not, it is remarkably similar to her father's.

The short chapters and the shifting of time sequences from past to present and back again are very much in Richard Brautigan's style, and Ianthe echoes it masterfully.

This is truly a very powerful read that will touch the hearts of many.