My favorite book that I've ever read is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

This novel takes readers on a profound journey through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch, in a small southern town during the 1930s.

The story explores themes of racism, injustice, and moral growth with great depth and sensitivity.

Lee's writing is both beautiful and engaging, painting vivid pictures of the characters and their surroundings.

The character of Atticus Finch, Scout's father, is one of the most iconic and inspiring figures in literature.

His unwavering commitment to justice and his teachings to his children about empathy and understanding make this book a truly unforgettable read.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" has had a lasting impact on me, making me think deeply about the world we live in and the importance of standing up for what is right.

It is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and moving read.

I truly desired to have a liking for this particular one. A sardonic Gothic Western, with a monster lurking within a mansion constructed over ice caves? I was completely in. However, subsequent to being introduced to the two idiosyncratic gunslingers, Cameron and Greer, the novel takes a downward turn into a flailing bore, filled with short-changed jokes and bland deviations from what constitutes a Western novel. All the Brautiganisms lack their typically vibrant charm.

There is no doubt that there is interesting material present here. Initially, I envisaged it as a 'hippy western' that could have been flawlessly lensed by Robert Altman (as seen in 'McCabe & Mrs. Miller'), but it devolved into an unraveling of short chapters that truly fail to hit the mark. 'A Confederate General from Big Sur' is a masterpiece; unfortunately, 'The Hawkline Monster' is merely a footnote.

I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions while reading this. It was truly surreal and hilarious.

One should not take it too seriously as it is basically a western comedy, with a hint of Vonnegut's insanity thrown in. It is definitely worth a quick read if you are able to go along with its offbeat and wild narrative. However, if it doesn't resonate with you within a few chapters, it's perfectly okay to just skip it.

This particular piece is for a certain kind of person who has a penchant for bizarre, wild stream of consciousness style stories that are also laced with a sense of humor. It offers a unique and entertaining reading experience that can transport you to a world filled with absurdity and laughter. So, if you're looking for something different and entertaining, give this a try.

I read The Hawkline Monster as part of a collection of three of Brautigan's short works. Tonight, our book club is having a meeting about this particular book, so I want to jot down some of my thoughts now.

The Hawkline Monster is a book whose enjoyment hinges greatly on what one reads and the reason for reading. This holds true for many works, of course, but especially for a book like this, which will disappoint or satisfy depending on what the reader anticipates.

For me, when I read, entertainment is my top priority. This doesn't mean that what I read has to be flashy; it just needs to hold my interest. I渴望a good story, and if the story is engaging enough, I'm willing to overlook many other flaws or imperfections. However, if the story is boring, then goodbye, book, I'm out of here (with some rare exceptions).

The Hawkline Monster is a book that entertains. It tells the story of two gunslingers who, after a disastrous trip to Hawaii, return to the contiguous states and meet a woman nicknamed Magic Child. She implores them to come to her house and kill a monster that her father created. High jinks then ensue.

Brautigan weaves his surreal magic with doses of both absurdist and deadpan humor, creating a book that feels like the literary equivalent of a Dali painting. He asks the reader to suspend disbelief and use their imagination, and in return, the reader is rewarded with a story that feels like anything can happen, exciting in that Willy Wonka "Where the hell is he taking us?" train ride sort of way (but far less creepy).

So you see, if you prefer a clearly defined trajectory and your need for order outweighs your appreciation for chaos, then this isn't the kind of thing you'll enjoy.

It's also not necessarily a book filled with a great deal of deeper meaning, although I don't think a solely shallow read is entirely fair either. Brautigan plays a lot with duality - man/man, woman/woman, man/woman, light/dark, good/evil - and subverts some of the traditional concepts at play in those contrasts and comparisons: women as sexual aggressors, light as being bad, and so on.

He also toys with traditional concepts in his use of the "Gothic Western" genre. The standard requirements of each genre are present, but not necessarily in the expected context. There's Magic Child, an Indian woman, the setting of the West (specifically Oregon), the gunslingers, talk of hangings and outlaw gangs. But then he takes the vast expanse of the West and stuffs it into the old creepy house of the Gothic. The house itself isn't particularly medieval or pseudo-medieval; it's just odd and ominous. Ms. Hawkline initially seems to be set up in the role of the crone, with Magic Child as the virtuous (in personality, but not in the virginal sense so much) woman, but then they meld into two versions of the same person, messing with the notion of a division or contrast between the two. The gunslingers might also be the heroes, with the Hawkline Monster as the villain, and there's even a servant (though he doesn't seem dim-witted in any way). The Hawkline Monster isn't one genre stylized as the other so much as it firmly straddles them, or takes pieces of both and throws them into a blender.

While I got a great thrill from reading it, I'm not sure I'd recommend it as someone's first Brautigan experience. I'd still give that honor to Trout Fishing in America. With its vaguely autobiographical bent, it gives a stronger sense of Brautigan's voice and personality. The Hawkline Monster is certainly distinct, but it might take some time for the reader to "get" his intent. So for those looking to delve into his works, I'd suggest starting with Trout... over this one. But that said, if you appreciate a little magic and absurdity, this makes for a great read any day.

A good restitution for the mediocre score of his other novel: "The Trout Fishing in America". This one, on the other hand, is also a playful, B-movie-like, very curious work. It is a mixture of Terry Pratchet, surrealism and Vonnegut's style. It is a story without a beginning or an end, but then again, it never wanted to have an end in the first place. It is a luminous monster, it is natural.

In truth, it is worth going through this wonder from Blackie Books.

It takes the reader on a wild and unexpected journey, filled with strange characters and situations that seem to come from the deepest recesses of the author's imagination. The writing is engaging and the pacing is just right, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of science fiction, fantasy, or just good literature in general, "The Trout Fishing in America" is definitely a book that you should check out.

Richard Brautigan once said, “I've always wanted to write a Western and so that's what I'm going to do.” That was in 1967.

And several years later, he indeed fulfilled his wish. However, it was not in the traditional way that Zane Grey would have recognized. There were gunslingers, but lying in ambush in the pineapple fields of Hawaii? Probably not. Let alone being hired to kill a monster in the ice caves beneath a Victorian mansion.

Brautigan, as always, crafted a deceptively whimsical narrative in a deceptively easy-going style. It is instantly recognizable as his and his alone. But similar to his earlier novels, there is always a cold undercurrent. It is about lives going nowhere, the American dream remaining unrealized, and promises being betrayed. The Hawkline mansion, which was built to foster a brighter and more beautiful future for all mankind, lies deep in the badlands. “The road was very bleak, wandering like the handwriting of a dying person over the hills. There were no houses, no barns, no fences, no signs that human life had ever made its way this far except for the road which was barely legible.” Professor Hawkline’s beneficent experiments have not gone well.

And, worse still, the gunslingers must brave a cup of tea. “They had never had tea before but they decided to try it because what-the-hell with all the things that were going on in this huge yellow house that was so weird that it almost breathed, straddling some ice caves that penetrated like frozen teeth deep into the earth.” Then things really turn peculiar.

It's wonderfully strange - as one would hope from a gothic western - and, as always, a pleasure to read.

A book that is definitely not for everyone, a gothic western with abundant humor that is read quickly. 3.5 stars usually, but it has charm and I had a great time reading it.

This book offers a unique blend of gothic and western elements, creating a distinct and engaging reading experience. The humor sprinkled throughout adds an extra layer of enjoyment, making it a quick and light read. While it may not appeal to all tastes, those who appreciate the combination of these two genres will likely find it quite charming. The story unfolds at a brisk pace, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. Despite not receiving a full 5-star rating, it still manages to leave a positive impression with its engaging plot and likable characters. Overall, it's a book that is worth checking out if you're looking for something a little different in the world of literature.

Hawkline Monster - I purchased this book with tax payer dollars shortly after becoming the director,

("chief, cook and bottle washer") of a then 12,000 population "Cowboy" county library. I truly relished Brautigan's creativity. At times, I felt it was justifiable to acquire other books by him for the limited audience of local readers. How about Trout Fishing, anyone?

It is a mountainous timber and ranching territory with a single small city, situated approximately 35 miles northeast of Bend, Oregon. Near Bend, one of the places I loved visiting was a down sloping ice cave. In this cave, the regrowing quilt of ice had covered the lower steps of a wooden stairway that had formerly led to an ice harvesting operation. It was a scary place. Slippage could have been disastrous. When seeing this title, that cave immediately comes to mind.

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Regrettably, there are no longer Brautigan books in the library.

This may be due to various reasons, perhaps a change in the library's collection policy or a lack of demand from the current readership. However, I still remember the unique charm and creativity that Brautigan's books brought to our little library.

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A truly phenomenal book is the one that I constantly carry around with me and keep dipping into over and over again. I remember reading it twice the very first time I got my hands on it, which is always the unmistakable hallmark of my all-time great favourites.

The simple story within it really sort of sketches out a lovely series of scenes. These scenes play out in a matter-of-fact way that always seems to hint at the beauty and elegance of poetry. It engages my imagination to such an extent that I can envision everything with utmost vividness. I have an absolute love for everything about these characters. They seem so real to me, natural in their every action and utterly charming in their personalities.

Though it is supposed to be a gothic western, in some ways, I feel an incredibly strong kinship here to Viking sagas or even Beowulf. It contains all the elements: the intense fighting, the hearty eating, the passionate fucking, the strict codes, the presence of women, and of course, the terrifying monsters. It combines these elements in a way that makes it a truly unique and captivating read.

Great meditation on psychedelic fantastical realism. This piece truly captivated me from the very beginning. The author's exploration of this unique genre is both profound and engaging. It takes the reader on a journey through a world filled with vivid and imaginative landscapes, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. The use of psychedelic elements adds an extra layer of depth and mystery, making it impossible to put this one down. Each page is filled with new surprises and revelations, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Whether you are a fan of fantastical realism or simply looking for a thought-provoking read, this is definitely a must-read. I highly recommend it.

The world of the story was very similar to that of the Sister Brothers, but it had a weaker character portrayal and story. Although it had a relatively good ending, I don't know why reading it took so long.

It might be that the author's writing style was not as engaging as expected. The descriptions were perhaps a bit too detailed, causing the pacing to slow down. Additionally, the characters didn't seem to have enough depth and complexity to fully capture the reader's interest. Despite these drawbacks, there were still some aspects of the story that were enjoyable. The setting was well-described, and the overall concept had potential. However, in order to truly shine, the story needed a stronger narrative and more developed characters. Maybe with some revisions and improvements, it could have been a more satisfying read.