Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
4 stars
36(36%)
3 stars
27(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews
July 15,2025
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This was the first time that I was reading a book by Richard Brautigan.

The book is composed of a collection of very short stories.

Each story seems to offer a unique perspective on life, filled with vivid descriptions and interesting characters.

As I delved into the book, I found myself being drawn into the different worlds that Brautigan had created.

The simplicity of the stories belies their depth, and I often found myself reflecting on the meanings and messages hidden within them.

Overall, it has been a fascinating experience reading this book, and I look forward to exploring more of Brautigan's works in the future.

July 15,2025
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Reading Brautigan can be a rather peculiar experience. It's often as if one is engaged in the arduous task of sifting through piles and piles of shit, hoping against hope to discover those tiny, precious chunks of gold. And indeed, within this particular book, there are a few such nuggets to be unearthed. However, it's important to note that this work doesn't quite reach the status of being essential reading. It has its moments of charm and inspiration, but it doesn't possess that all-encompassing quality that would make it a must-read for every literary enthusiast. There are other works out there that perhaps offer a more profound and impactful reading experience. Nevertheless, for those who are willing to put in the effort and search for those hidden gems, Brautigan's book may still hold some measure of value.

July 15,2025
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It's Brautigan, so it's good. Richard Brautigan is a remarkable and influential writer. His works are known for their unique style and captivating stories. His writing has a certain charm that draws readers in and keeps them engaged from start to finish. Each of his books offers a different perspective and takes the reader on a journey through his imaginative world. Whether it's the quirky characters, the unexpected plot twists, or the beautiful prose, Brautigan's writing has something for everyone. His works have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved by readers around the world. So, if you haven't yet discovered the magic of Brautigan's writing, now is the time to do so. You won't be disappointed.

July 15,2025
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"The Author of the Flower"

Mr. Parlich said, "Do you know what?"

"What?"

He said, "Oh, well... I don't know." And then, without saying another word, he left. Ever since his wife committed suicide, all of Mr. Parlich's actions had been like this...

Mr. Parlich was a man who had been deeply affected by the loss of his wife. His days seemed to pass in a blur, and he often found himself lost in thought. The simple act of asking a question and then not being able to finish it was just one example of how his grief had taken hold of him. He walked away, perhaps not knowing what else to say or do. His heart was heavy, and the world around him seemed to have lost its color and meaning.
July 15,2025
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Richard Brautigan's works, whether in his stories or his poetry, possess a truly unique style.

His writing is distinct and has a certain charm that sets it apart from others. I have a great affinity for his style and can identify with it to a large extent.

It's as if his words speak directly to my soul, evoking a range of emotions and thoughts.

The final part of this collection, titled "Linda," stands out as the best.

It holds a special allure and captivates the reader's attention from start to finish.

The way Brautigan weaves the story and describes the characters and events in "Linda" is simply masterful.

It leaves a lasting impression and makes me eager to explore more of his works.

Overall, Brautigan's unique style and the excellence of the "Linda" section make this collection a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature.
July 15,2025
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In the name of Allah.


I read the name of the goal!


It was the first book I read from the Baratigans, and in my opinion, the space of the story and the type of paragraphing of the book are very incomprehensible for the Iranian reader.


I didn't like it, or rather, I didn't understand it at all, and the first good experience of reading Baratigans didn't come from water!


27/1/400



Expanded version:

In the name of Allah.


I read the name of the goal!

It was the very first book that I delved into from the Baratigans collection. Honestly, from my perspective, the narrative space and the way the paragraphs were structured in this book seemed extremely incomprehensible to the Iranian reader.

I didn't take a liking to it. In fact, I would say that I couldn't make heads or tails of it at all. And this first encounter with reading Baratigans didn't turn out to be a pleasant one!

It was on the 27th of January, 400 (presumably a specific year).

This experience left me with a rather mixed feeling about the Baratigans series. I wonder if other books in this collection would offer a different and more engaging reading experience.

Maybe with time and more exploration, I'll come to appreciate the unique style and charm that these books might possess.

For now, however, this initial encounter has been a bit of a disappointment.

July 15,2025
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I had the Brautigan Bug really bad, and I was extremely desperate to get my hands on every single thing he had written. I had just spent a few weeks in Scotland. During that time, I checked every single bookstore I came across, probably around 6 of them. But unfortunately, nobody had any Brautigan books. Well, okay, he's a slightly under-the-radar American writer. So, I forgave Scotland.


Then I was in New Zealand, where I planned to be for potentially a year. I visited another handful of bookstores, but they all came up short. I began to despair. These books were indeed proving to be very hard to find! That's when I found "Hard to Find Books" in Auckland. Dare I get my hopes up again? It was a five-mile walk to the store. My atheist heart was praying to the literary gods for a miracle. And boy, what a rush I got! I was shaking my head in disbelief as I pulled every Brautigan book they had from the shelf (there were two). I was geekily whispering "Oh my goodness oh my goodness". The poor man at the counter had to nod and say "wow" a few times as he unwillingly listened to the tale of my desperate search. He didn't understand the depth of my joy that would shortly influence me to squeal and wag my tail at the exit of the shop.


Anyways, that's how I got this book of poetry. It is likely my favorite collection of all Brautigan's poetic works (favorite COLLECTION - though many of my favorite individual poems exist in other collections). This was the book I brought with me to work when I started my first job in New Zealand. We were allotted a 15-minute meal break towards the end of our shift. And I'd sit alone and reread my favorites. My eyes would be glistening with emotion as I became realigned with the universe, like a chiropractor visit for the heart. Here's one that gets me called "A Woman's Eyes":


"The pure blue ocean
of
your eyes
rises and falls gently,
rises and falls gently,
and washes
nice things
up onto the beaches
of
my soul."


I might say that the majority of these poems aren't so lovely though. Many are about unrequited love and Brautigan's total suffering that can at times feel tangible, though morbidly humorous.


--Knife--

"Build a wall
around your heart,
so that love
can never
get in.

Love is crueler
than the knife
of a man
who slit
the throats
of four children"


--ex-lovers mee--

"Our eyes
spit
at each other.

She said
with a voice
colder than
a dead bird
(or
was it
two dead birds?),

'Hello.'"


Gosh, I do love that Brautigan. However, that doesn't mean that everything he writes is spectacular. His poetry can be hit or miss. But if you appreciate him for what he is, then it will be easy to overlook some of the "eh".
July 15,2025
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First of all, I want to express my own opinion and then explain why some people don't understand these poems.


The beauty lies in these poems. Some of his poems are really crazy. Ah, how simple it is to tell the truth *-*


Some people are very opposed to Barat's collection of poems and his other collections. But I need to remind you of a few points:


1. There are some people - like me - who are crazy about these poems. So please say that your opinion is not that Barat writes badly :(


2. Barat's poems are so simple that they are impossible to understand. Even I, although I like them very much, I don't understand some of his poems.


3. The tangles that Barat puts forward are mostly for his own time.


4. It's true that the translation is a bit bad, but it's not as bad as you say. The translator has translated what he has seen. If you really expect so much from Barat, you should be an American and read his original poems, not an Iranian and expect a miracle.


5. Barat has not released all of his poems. Now someone has come and collected these poems. None of you want anything. If you buy this book, don't leave the author empty-handed. You want to read it. You don't want to read it either.


6. Barat wrote these short poems for the Americans at that time when they had a little courage, and with these short poems, he put forward big tangles for them. So don't put the expectations of these tangles on yourself.


Sorry if I was in a hurry. But when you love someone, you don't want to see someone say bad things about them.


Some parts of the book:


"Build a wall
Far from your heart
So that love
Can never
Enter.
Love is more cruel
Than the thickness
Of a man
Who hits the forehead
Of a four-year-old child"


"What would you do
If
You lifted the rain
Up?

Me?

Yes

I used to
Live on a cloud
In my life,
I think"


"I gave my heart
To a girl

She looked at it

Her smile disappeared
And she threw it
Into the void

Faithless

Oh God! How many classes did she have?"


"One day
Time
Will die
And
Love
Will bury it"


"Today
The autumn rain
Didn't want to be loved
It was

It was lifting
It was lifting
It was lifting

And it was painting
The house of
My soul
Sad.

Today
The autumn rain

Was making the old people
Very very old
Look"


"One of the unusual and sad days
A girl was living
Who was the beautiful creation of my soul
Therefore
It is obvious that
I had a box of matches that I loved
But she didn't love me even a penny
It was very sad and unusual that my heart
Didn't have a friend"


"He chooses the teeth
Of his puberty
From a cross
On which Christ
Was crucified"

July 15,2025
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The same observation that it is raining but more to my taste.

Rain can have different impacts on different people. Some may find it gloomy and depressing, while others might enjoy the refreshing and peaceful atmosphere it brings. For me, when it rains in a way that suits my taste, it can be a truly wonderful experience.

I like to listen to the sound of raindrops hitting the roof or the ground, as if nature is playing a beautiful symphony just for me. The smell of the wet earth after the rain is also very pleasant, filling the air with a fresh and earthy aroma.

Sometimes, I would just sit by the window, sipping a cup of hot coffee or tea, and watch the raindrops fall outside. It gives me a sense of calm and relaxation, allowing me to forget about the hustle and bustle of the outside world for a while.

In conclusion, although it is just the same observation that it is raining, when it rains in a way that I like, it can bring me a lot of joy and satisfaction.
July 15,2025
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I didn't like it! :\\\\

It was a feeling that crept up on me slowly. At first, I thought it might just be a passing phase, but as time went on, it became more and more evident.

Maybe it was the way it looked, or the way it made me feel. There was just something about it that didn't sit right with me.

I tried to give it a chance, to see if I could find something redeeming about it, but no matter what I did, my initial impression remained.

In the end, I had to admit to myself that I simply didn't like it. And that was okay. Sometimes, we just have to accept our feelings and move on.

July 15,2025
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More than two and a half.


The first time I listened to the audio, I could only understand a little of its form. The second time I read it and it helped me understand how things are arranged with each other.


At first, it seemed to me that this fragmentation of stories was more in the service of simplicity than in the service of the story. Later, I realized that this is one of the first characteristics and it is more of a test and mistake of the writer in the early stages of work, so it cannot be criticized too much.


I didn't think it was bad, but was it excellent? I don't know, I wanted it to be more coherent. Although it is because of its simplicity, but in my opinion, its newness did not reduce it.

July 15,2025
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I really liked him, especially his last three shows.

Each of his shows was a unique and captivating experience. The way he presented his ideas and interacted with the audience was truly remarkable.

I remember vividly the first of those three shows. The stage was set up beautifully, with colorful lights and an amazing backdrop. As he walked on stage, the crowd erupted in applause.

His performance was full of energy and passion. He told stories, cracked jokes, and had the audience on the edge of their seats the entire time.

The second show was even better. He had refined his act and added some new elements that took it to the next level.

By the time the third show came around, I was completely hooked. I couldn't wait to see what he had in store for us this time.

And he didn't disappoint. It was an unforgettable night that I will always cherish.

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see his shows and get to know him a little better.

He's truly a talented and inspiring person.
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