“I would instead invite the reader to pick up some of Brautigan’s wonderful writings and then go back through Murakami’s books…” For me, it’s quite the opposite. I started reading Brautigan in the 1970s and absolutely devoured anything he wrote up until his death, and anything published posthumously. For me he’s never gone out of style, nor was there a period when I did not read him. Though he’s gone from us, he’s always been with me. So, your piece serves as a lovely introduction to Haruki Murakami, whom I have always intended to start reading. I have a good friend who feels about Murakami the way I feel about Brautigan. I will surely share this piece with him. A delightful conversation will ensue.
In the late 1970’s I went to visit a friend in SF in North Beach. He lived around the corner from Brautigan, and he counseled me : “if you see him walking down the hill, keep away from him. It means he hasn’t had coffee or a drink. Beware! But if he’s walking up the hill, no problem. Say hello. “ the next morning I was taking a walk, and there he was, looking just like Richatd Brautigan. The long hair, the out of control mustache, the straw hat. And I couldn’t help myself. I ran over and said hello. And he pulled back in horror. And then started barking at me like a mad dog. Barking and howling. It did the trick….
Every few years or so I do a quick reread of In Watermelon Sugar and I have my favorite used bookstore owner looking out for a nice copy of The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster .
I found a “Complete Works” type compendium of Brautigan in priced to sell bin at a local shop. Hadn’t read him in 50+ years. All I can say is that I loved him in college and he aged very well for me. A true joy to read
Thank you. It’s odd that Brautigan has gone out of fashion, though we still love him in San Francisco and Oregon. Thank you for directing me to a writer influenced by him.
I was introduced to Brautigan by an art teacher at high school. Over the ensuing years I collected and read all of his books, despite most of them being out of print (it was the late ‘80s). He remains one of my favourite authors.
I’ve not read any Murakami; your piece has put me in mind to rectify that.
Nice to see Brautigan’s name out there somewhere. My mother was a fan of his books, and I read them when I was young. I’m unfamiliar with Mr. Murakami and will need to do some exploring. Thanks.
I was given "Revenge of the Lawn" when I was in college, and it remains the most important book I read in those four years.
“I would instead invite the reader to pick up some of Brautigan’s wonderful writings and then go back through Murakami’s books…” For me, it’s quite the opposite. I started reading Brautigan in the 1970s and absolutely devoured anything he wrote up until his death, and anything published posthumously. For me he’s never gone out of style, nor was there a period when I did not read him. Though he’s gone from us, he’s always been with me. So, your piece serves as a lovely introduction to Haruki Murakami, whom I have always intended to start reading. I have a good friend who feels about Murakami the way I feel about Brautigan. I will surely share this piece with him. A delightful conversation will ensue.
.
In the late 1970’s I went to visit a friend in SF in North Beach. He lived around the corner from Brautigan, and he counseled me : “if you see him walking down the hill, keep away from him. It means he hasn’t had coffee or a drink. Beware! But if he’s walking up the hill, no problem. Say hello. “ the next morning I was taking a walk, and there he was, looking just like Richatd Brautigan. The long hair, the out of control mustache, the straw hat. And I couldn’t help myself. I ran over and said hello. And he pulled back in horror. And then started barking at me like a mad dog. Barking and howling. It did the trick….
Every few years or so I do a quick reread of In Watermelon Sugar and I have my favorite used bookstore owner looking out for a nice copy of The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster .
Didn't know about this connection. Thanks for sharing!
I read a lot of his stuff in high school, mostly dog-eared paperbacks left lying around by other students, he wasn’t part of the lit curriculum.
My mom showed me Brautigan when I was really young; one of her favorite books of all time is Trout Fishing in America
I found a “Complete Works” type compendium of Brautigan in priced to sell bin at a local shop. Hadn’t read him in 50+ years. All I can say is that I loved him in college and he aged very well for me. A true joy to read
He’s one of those authors that you sometimes forget but then you dip back in and the genius is right there.
Thank you. It’s odd that Brautigan has gone out of fashion, though we still love him in San Francisco and Oregon. Thank you for directing me to a writer influenced by him.
I was introduced to Brautigan by an art teacher at high school. Over the ensuing years I collected and read all of his books, despite most of them being out of print (it was the late ‘80s). He remains one of my favourite authors.
I’ve not read any Murakami; your piece has put me in mind to rectify that.
Consider starting with his earliest books and if you feel like skipping ahead then I think The Wind-up Bird Chronicle is his masterpiece.
Sounds like the way to go. Thanks!
Nice to see Brautigan’s name out there somewhere. My mother was a fan of his books, and I read them when I was young. I’m unfamiliar with Mr. Murakami and will need to do some exploring. Thanks.
Bowling trophy thieves die!
Murakami is extraordinary. Don’t miss him!
Trump fishing in America^^