Richard Brautigan

[camus]

I like the sound of this guy on Jarvis' recommendation. Anyone read him?

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 36699.html

Cheers
Kris

[k-j]

Have seen various recommendations of RB over the years but never read him. I think I flicked through his stuff in the library once (or it may have been snippets on the net) and thought it was a bit flimsy-whimsy for me? From what I understand it's "prose-poetry" which isn't my cup of tea. But my impression isn't based on very much.

[Magpie Jane]

Hi Kris, for quite a few years I've been thinking of giving him a try, but never got around to it (for various un-reasons).
Finally I pulled me old self together and got hold of the short-story collection Revenge of the Lawn.
Having read the first seven or eight, I gladly call it a worthwhile venture.
Of course I don't know what your tastes are, but I find his writing enjoyable. His power of observation is exceptionally sharp.
Like k-j says, a bit on the flimsy side; yea maybe, but interspersed with some genuine little jewels. "Prose-poetry" is perfectly okay by me.

This is Sarah Hall's introduction to the wee stories:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/sep/23/prose-poetry-brilliance-of-richard-brautigan

Good luck.
Jane

[Magpie Jane]

(almost 24 hours later:)

I'm a fan.

[churinga]

I am old enough to remember when he was famous as 'the' hippy novelist who always had a new girlfriend on the cover of his new novel. I found his novels too whimsical and a bit childish. He published a lot of poetry, you can find some at poemhunter. I think he was more a poet than a novelist. He had a terrible childhood, was an alcoholic and fell out of favour once the hippy movement ended. He committed suicide in his forties.