Richard Brautigan is the only writer I know of who could effectively write marijuana thoughts. Many of us can recall wanting to write down funny and profound beliefs only to discover the next day that they aren’t so funny after all. The dialogue betrays an earlier time, when marijuana was “dope,” a mysterious and dangerous “narcotic.” However, the highly original, distinctive Brautigan prose makes A Confederate General From Big Sur well worth reading.
The sexism, racism, and homophobia clearly were not there in 1975 when I read it the first time (which is to say I was clueless). The girl is good because she does what she was told, and the “rich queer” is bashed with a rock, and there is pride Lee Mellon’s rebel heritage.
Melon is manipulative, toothless, funny but wretched. Even though he’s described as “good looking,” I have trouble believing he’s able to charm “girls.” But Brautigan skillfully evokes weird situations and odd edgy characters. A Confederate General From Big Sur transported me back to a time when my friends and I spent hazy days at a dilapidated farm in Missouri.
Brautigan himself is often viewed as some sort of weed hippie guru. But his characters do a lot more drinking than smoking “dope.” He was a troubled youth, weirdly gifted writer who developed his talent, became an alcoholic, and shot himself.
Lucky for us, he left behind engaging books. My favorite is still In Watermelon Sugar. But if you’re looking to introduce yourself to his writing, you can’t go wrong with this one.
