Found this at work community bookshelf. I've only read one other Brautigan, Trout Fishing in America. Think this works a lot more--more successfully executed with two (2) different narratives as an experimental work of fiction--weirdness combination of mistaken identify, etc. Spoilers follow. Some of the themes are a bit on the erotica re: S&M side, tame though for these days of post-Fifty Shades of Gray -- Brautigan actually cites Story of O but also incorporates about genital warts and/or the venereal disease fall out from the Summer of Love/Haight Ashbury scene into the narrative, with the idea of side effects of dementia or long term problems of recovering from a hook up--changing the lives of lovers on both physical and emotional levels. Holding for now.

Had a lovely meetup in Porter Square, Cambridge, on this very warm afternoon. Since my town has installed eight new Little Free Libraries, I offered to claim any books that went un-chosen at the end of the meetup - and since most of us seem to be in the "please, take the books!" mindset, there were quite a few {wry grin}.

This one, however, leapt into my hands; I couldn't resist the quirky title, cover-art and "a perverse mystery" subtitle! I enjoyed Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America; will see how this one goes.

Later: I'd never have guessed that I'd enjoy a tale involving dysfunctional relationships, genital warts, the ghost of Matthew Brady, and a stolen collection of bowling trophies, but somehow this really worked! I can't say I liked many of the characters much, but the writing style and the shifting viewpoints tickled me. I did often find myself wanting to refer the characters to the "Captain Awkward" advice-blog, though I don't know if that would have helped re the various mistaken-identity bits near the end. But it would have come in handy for the couple who had a complete disconnect over the appeal of reading aloud from ancient Greek works!

Given the overall goofiness, I was surprised at how suspensful the final segment was - but, still, it's very goofy indeed. I liked it!

[There's a TV Tropes page on Brautigan and his work, with some entertaining tidbits.]

I left this book in this handsome Little Free Library this afternoon; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2017 Keep Them Moving release challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2017 What's in a Name release challenge. ***