Downstream from Trout Fishing in America: A Memoir of Richard Brautigan by Keith Abbott
In Downstream from Trout Fishing in America: A Memoir of Richard Brautigan, Keith Abbott paints a portrait of Richard Brautigan as a lovable and whimsical friend. Abbott explains the writer’s dedication to the art of fiction and his quest to break beyond the pop culture, hippie label that haunted him until his suicide in 1984. Brautigan’s tight prose inspired authors such as Haruki Murakami and his experimentation with the line won him accolades from authors like Ishmael Reed, Raymond Carver, and Michael McClure. His work is highly influential and Abbott draws a clear connection between Brautigan’s life and his writing. This book is essential for anyone who is interested in the work of Richard Brautigan.
"Truly the best thing I've ever seen written of the man. [Keith Abbott writes] of him with love and affection, that's obvious, but also with deep and clear understanding. It's really quite good...and a cautionary tale as well." -- Raymond Carver
"[Keith Abbot's] memoir captures these years and the spirit of Richard Brautigan beautifully." -- Maxine Hong Kingston
Author Biography
Keith Kumasen Abbott teaches writing and art at Naropa University.
Publications include the novels Gush, Rhino Ritz and Mordecai of Monterey; the short story collections, Harum Scarum, The First Thing Coming, and The French Girl. His work has been translated into five languages and recently his novel Racer was short-listed for the Berlinale Film Conference 2007. His poems appeared in the anthologies Saints of Hysteria (Soft Skull, 2006) and Rimbaud Après Rimbaud (Except Collection Textual, 2004). His art/calligraphy appear in shows in San Francisco, Denver, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong, and San Antonio.
