Really can't start describing how much fun this Novel is.

It's like opening a door to a whole new world filled with excitement, mystery, and adventure. The characters are so vivid and real that you feel as if you know them personally.

As you turn the pages, you are drawn deeper and deeper into the story, unable to put it down. The plot twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, always wondering what will happen next.

Whether it's a thrilling action scene or a touching moment of romance, this novel has it all. It's a literary masterpiece that will leave you entertained and satisfied from beginning to end.

So if you're looking for a great read that will transport you to another world and keep you hooked until the very last page, then look no further than this amazing novel.

One of the weirdest books I've ever read!

It's truly a unique and mind-boggling experience. Brautigan, the author, is an enigma. He is equally mad and genius.

His writing style is so unconventional and yet so captivating. The stories he weaves are filled with strange characters and离奇的情节. It's as if he is operating in a completely different realm of imagination.

You never know what to expect from one page to the next. Sometimes, you'll be left scratching your head, wondering what on earth just happened. But then, there are those moments when a brilliant idea or a profound thought will suddenly emerge, leaving you in awe of his talent.

Reading Brautigan's book is like taking a journey into a strange and wonderful world, a world that only he can create. It's a journey that you won't soon forget.

A miniscule, oddball masterpiece indeed!

Essentially functioning as one extended deadpan joke, "The Hawkline Monster" is a truly strange story told in a straightforward manner. It is structured in Brautigan's characteristic fragmentary chapters, which on average are about two pages long and sometimes contain little more than one singular thought. The plot kicks off when contract killers Greer and Cameron are approached by a stranger named Magic Child. She has a job for them: to come to Hawkline Manor, a house located in eastern Oregon but near nothing of significance, and kill the monster that resides in the ice caves beneath the house.

The wholly original voice that Brautigan creates depends largely upon the originality of his story, which, in turn, depends on its weirdness. In this book, the weirdness manifests in two forms that alternate. Firstly, the setting and circumstances are inherently strange, as if they have always been that way, and the characters simply accept them as such. Secondly, additional weird circumstances crop up along the way, and the characters call them out for their oddity. There is something inherently satisfying about the off-the-wall creations that Brautigan comes up with here, and you'll also be reading for their comedic payoff. Some of the laughs stem from the audacity of the story's twists and turns, while others come from the ways in which he extricates his characters from the situations he places them in. And although the book can be read in one sitting, I found myself stretching it out over five days because I didn't want it to end. I can't recall the last time a book made me slow down to finish it. If there is any higher mark of praise that one can give a book, I'm at a loss to know what it would be.

"An Early Twentieth Century Picnic"

In 1902, the two Miss Hawklines resided in a grand Victorian house located in eastern Oregon. This house was originally constructed by their father, a Harvard professor. He had a laboratory in the basement where he conducted experiments with chemicals. Intriguingly, this basement was situated on top of an ice cave. One fateful day, the professor went downstairs and simply vanished. His twin daughters firmly believed that he disappeared due to a monster that he had inadvertently created with his chemicals while attempting to fabricate something that would be beneficial for all of mankind. Eventually, they enlisted the help of two men to kill the Hawkline Monster. The novel is a captivating Gothic western romance that appears to question the blind faith in scientific progressivism. As one of the Monster Killers remarks, "That was quite a batch of stuff you mixed up there, Professor." To which the professor responds, "Never again." Even in this experimental Gothic mode, Brautigan remains steadfastly countercultural, a quasi-Luddite Pynchon, presenting a playful and mischievous shadow to Pynchon's more serious and intense light.

VERSE:

The Monstrous Light (Haiku)
[Almost in the Words of Brautigan]

The light can change things,
It can enter your minds,
And disrupt them completely.

Richard Brautigan was one of my husband's long-ago favorite authors.

His unique writing style and imaginative stories had always intrigued my husband.

So, when I saw this particular book of his, I thought it would make a great gift for my husband.

He read it (again) recently and was once again captivated by Brautigan's charm.

After finishing it, he couldn't wait to encourage me to give it a try.

I took his advice and picked up the book.

To my surprise, it was a delightful read.

It spoofs the traditional Western as well as the classic horror tale in a humorous and engaging way.

The characters were vivid, and the plot was full of unexpected twists and turns.

I found myself laughing out loud at times and on the edge of my seat at others.

As a result of reading this one, I have decided that I will definitely try more of Brautigan's works.

I'm looking forward to exploring his other books and seeing what other wonderful stories he has to offer.

A brilliantly hilarious and strange 'weird Western' from Brautigan. It's a short book, like all his works, yet it inhabits its own length perfectly. So far, it's the fifth Brautigan I've read and perhaps the best (I can't decide between this one and Sombrero Fallout). The story is absurd and clever, with a lunatic charm. The eponymous monster is truly something new and delightful in a world of fiction where monsters have become rather bland. This monster is unlike any other, and it even has a shadow that doesn't agree with it.

The prose is reminiscent of Vonnegut in many ways, but Brautigan is a master of the totally unexpected metaphor, something Vonnegut never really attempted. The oddness and ingenuity of his language twists never distract from the rapid flow of the narrative. Brautigan isn't so much a 'wordplay' writer as a writer with a pared-down style that is original and inventive. Most other writers with pared-down styles resemble each other, but Brautigan is unique.

I bought a book by chance after seeing it in the display cabinet of one of my favourite used book stores.

Coincidentally, September was Western genre month. This book, being a 'gothic western' and with an appealing cover, made me decide to give it a try.

It was a very easy and flowing read, featuring a quirky and interesting story. The essence is that two gunslingers, Cameron and Greer, are hired by a young woman to travel to Oregon and kill a monster that dwells in the ice caves beneath their house in Oregon.

There are numerous strange occurrences along the way, which I'll let you uncover until the face-to-face encounter with the monster. I liked the two gunslingers. They were both straightforward and easy-going hitmen, yet with standards and ethics.

I also liked the Hawkline sisters. At times, the story seemed almost childish, but it still held my interest, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would rate it a solid 3.5 stars.

The Hawkline Monster by Richard Brautigan is a truly unique literary work that combines elements of the gothic and western genres. Set in the early 20th century in the Dead Hills of East Oregon, the story unfolds in a huge yellow house where The Chemicals, Professor Hawkline's lifework, lie in the basement. The Professor has disappeared, and his two beautiful daughters, along with two professional killers, Greer and Cameron, inhabit the upstairs bedrooms. Meanwhile, the giant butler lies dead on the front hall floor, and in the ice caves below the house, the mysterious Hawkline Monster laughs and roars.

Greer and Cameron are engaging characters, their wise-cracking and obvious humanity making them instantly likable. The journey to face the Hawkline Monster is told in short, anecdotal bursts that are both funny and obtuse. The chapters are mostly a single page long, with the chapter headings often driving the plot more than the contents. This, combined with Brautigan's picaresque style of storytelling, creates a reading experience that is both new and refreshing.

However, the story's bizarreness made it a bit difficult for me to fully love. I was left wondering if the "monster" was real or if the entire story was a metaphor for something deeper, like religion. This ambiguity is perhaps a characteristic of gothic literature, but it left me a bit confused. Despite this, I still found the book to be a good, unusual, and interesting read. It's not a great novel, but it's definitely worth checking out for those who are looking for something different.

In conclusion, The Hawkline Monster is a fascinating blend of genres that offers a unique reading experience. While it may not be for everyone, it's sure to appeal to those who are interested in exploring new literary territory.

Χιούμορ, γουέστερν λογοτεχνία και ψήγματα λογοτεχνικού τρόμου με ατμόσφαιρα b-movie. The Ritsarnt Prötigan was a very idiosyncratic form (one look at his photographs is enough), something that is also reflected in this story. "The Monster of Hocklaim" had been published many years ago by Grammata and was recently reissued by Kypseli Editions.

The plot involves two gunmen, hired killers, on the West Coast of the United States at the beginning of the last century. They are hired by Miss Hocklaim to get rid of a monster that is in the caves beneath her house in the middle of nowhere in Oregon. The writing is simple and cinematic, with countless surreal scenes and abundant sarcasm.

Surely, this is a very easy-to-read story and surely anyone who picks it up will have some very pleasant hours of reading. It is recommended!

This is one of the most curious and extraordinary stories that I have ever read.

Two professional letter carriers are assigned a very special mission. According to the instructions of an Indian, they must go to a secluded ranch and neutralize the monster that haunts it, completely freeing the owners from this nightmare.

The case initially seems simple and ordinary. But it is not. Pratigan creates an unlikely story that at first resembles a spaghetti western, then a horror movie, and through a non-linear narrative ends up looking like a disjointed dream!

Nothing in the entire story is normal. The two Chocklain sisters look like two drops of water, although they were initially different. The ranch is located on something like ice caves (;;), and the monster is a strange entity that sometimes has evil and sometimes scandalous dispositions.

Throughout the story, there are also many elements of surrealism. Situations that cannot be explained with common logic and are mainly addressed to the reader who is capable of making the leap and enjoying a creation free from the bonds of convention.

Finally, it doesn't impress me at all that many times directors tried to transfer it to the big screen and failed miserably. Only a directorial talent would be able to enter the world of Pratigan and transform the story into a movie. Because we are really not talking about a transfer but a transformation...

In conclusion, I would say that the book represents a unique reading experience. Those who dare to read it can be sure that they will be lost in an otherworldly universe and will get to know a special creator!

P.S: Excellent translation by Kypseli Editions, which saved the story from the botching of the previous translation by Grammata Editions, which couldn't even translate the title correctly!

It was extremely evident that Cameron would not be swayed by the amiability of tea consumption. One might even say that it simply wasn't his preferred beverage.

Here is a somewhat absurd tale of two assassin cowboys who were hired to slay the monster residing in the ice caves beneath a Gothic mansion located in the Dead Hills of Eastern Oregon. The Hawkline Monster is not a story that appeals to everyone. In fact, one likely needs to be in the appropriate frame of mind to fully appreciate it.

Perhaps it's the unique setting of the Gothic mansion and the mysterious ice caves that add an air of intrigue to the narrative. Or maybe it's the concept of assassin cowboys taking on a seemingly impossible task that piques one's interest. Whatever the reason, The Hawkline Monster offers a distinct and engaging reading experience for those who are willing to embrace its absurdity and step into its strange world.

Miss Hawkline was lost in thoughts about Greer and Cameron. Despite never having met them or even heard of them before, she patiently waited for their arrival. She knew they were bound to come, for she was an integral part of their gothic future.

The next morning, at dawn, Greer and Cameron woke up and set out on three sorry-looking horses into the Dead Hills. The name of the hills was indeed fitting. They seemed to have been designed by an undertaker using leftover funeral scraps. The three-hour ride to Miss Hawkline's house was along a very bleak road that meandered like the handwriting of a dying person over the hills.

Greer and Cameron were taken aback when they heard an elegant lady like Miss Hawkline use the word "fuck". However, they would soon get accustomed to it as the Hawkline women were known for their liberal use of swear words. They had learned this from their father, who was quite a legend at Harvard for his colorful language.

Anyway, back to the story. Greer reached into the trunk and retrieved a.38 revolver. He loaded the pistol and tucked it into his belt. Cameron, on the other hand, took out a.38 caliber automatic pistol that had previously been used to kill Filipino insurgents. He inserted a clip of bullets into the butt of the gun, snapped back and pushed forward the receiver to send a shell into the chamber, put the gun on safety, and then slipped it into his belt.

The hands of one of the characters were huge and gnarled with arthritis. In their prime, they might have been capable of killing a monster, but now they lay at rest, looking like old gray uneatable hams.

The shadow clumsily trailed behind, darker than the darkness in the room, more silent than complete silence, and alone in the tragedy of its servitude to evil.

Some parts of the house were still smoldering at the edge of the lake. It presented a very strange sight, almost like something out of Hieronymous Bosch's paintings if he had been interested in Western landscapes.