Product Description
B. Elwin Sherman first read Richard Gary Brautigan’s works in college, "when everyone else was lugging around Nietzsche and Kant for ballast. I kept In Watermelon Sugar in my hand because there was a tsunami on the horizon, and there I was without a beach umbrella."

The author is a humorist/author living in the New Hampshire North Country, where he writes a syndicated humor column and often reinvents "the cottage industry survival kit." His books have gone largely unheralded, "because I do nothing to promote them. No one should ever have a legacy before they’re dead. Life is embarrassing enough without that." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Richard Brautigan lives!
What a joy this is: a haunting tribute to Richard Brautigan.Is it possible that these seriocomic offerings WEREN'T written by him?I'm transported back to my college days and my dog-eared copies of Trout Fishing In America, and In Watermelon Sugar, and beyond.Such a joy to hear his voice re-emerge in these brilliant anecdotal salutes to an iconic American master of dark humor.

The bittersweet descension in "Paul Newman's Dog's At 4:23," the ghosty flash-forward of "The Boston-To-San Francisco Bible Study," the frozen delicacy in "An Echo Of God As Winter Flower".

What happens "When A Plumber Murders"?Who's to blame for "The Ice Age"?How does "The Slapstick Lingerie Redemption" reveal itself?

Kudos, Mr. Sherman, for resurrecting a voice that, as you say, "has been dead long enough."Thank you for this book! ... Read more

Product Description
B. Elwin Sherman is a humorist/author living in the New Hampshire North Country, where he writes a syndicated humor column and often reinvents "the cottage industry survival kit." His books have gone largely unheralded, "because I do nothing to promote them. No one should ever have a legacy before they're dead. Life is embarrassing enough without that." He first read Richard Gary Brautigan's works in college, "when everyone else was lugging around Nietzsche and Kant for ballast. I kept In Watermelon Sugar in my hand because there was a tsunami on the horizon, and there I was without a beach umbrella." ... Read more

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Chapters: Ken Kesey, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Gary Snyder, Richard Brautigan, Paul Bowles, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Robert Creeley, Neal Cassady, Kenneth Rexroth, Amiri Baraka, Gregory Corso, Denise Levertov, Frank O'hara, Ed Dorn, Robert Duncan, Anne Waldman, Michael Mcclure, Carolyn Cassady, Michael John Fles, Tuli Kupferberg, Kenneth Koch, Herbert Huncke, Charles Olson, Dick Mcbride, William S. Burroughs, Jr., Jack Spicer, Bob Kaufman, Daniel Terdiman, Lew Welch, Ed Sanders, Kirby Doyle, Diane Di Prima, John Wieners, Eric "Big Daddy" Nord, Joyce Johnson, Philip Whalen, Jeff Nuttall, Joanne Kyger, Sinclair Beiles, Jack Micheline, John Clellon Holmes, Elise Cowen, Neeli Cherkovski, Jane Bowles, Carl Solomon, Peter Orlovsky, Václav Hrabě, Ted Joans, Harriet Sohmers Zwerling, Janine Pommy Vega, Slim Brundage, Joffre Stewart, Walt Curtis, Puffer Volpe. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 359. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: William Seward Burroughs II (February 5, 1914) August 2, 1997; pronounced , also known by his pen name William Lee) was an American novelist, poet, essayist, painter and spoken word performer. Burroughs was a major figure of the Beat Generation and a postmodernist author who affected popular culture as well as literature. He is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the twentieth century." Burroughs wrote eighteen novels and novellas, six collections of short stories and four collections of essays. Five books have been published of his interviews and correspondences. Burroughs also collaborated on projects and recordings with numerous performers and musicians, and made many appearances in films. Burroughs was born to a wealthy family in St. Louis, Missouri, where he began wri...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=33594 ... Read more

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This digital document, covering the life and work of Richard (Gary) Brautigan, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 4107 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

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This is nonfiction commentary. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: In Watermelon Sugar, the Abortion: an Historical Romance 1966, Trout Fishing in America, So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away, Willard and His Bowling Trophies: a Perverse Mystery, the Hawkline Monster: a Gothic Western, a Confederate General From Big Sur, the Tokyo-Montana Express, Sombrero Fallout: a Japanese Novel, Dreaming of Babylon: a Private Eye Novel 1942, an Unfortunate Woman: a Journey. Source: Wikipedia. Free updates online. Not illustrated. Excerpt: In Watermelon Sugar is a novella written by Richard Brautigan published in 1968. It is a tale of a commune organized around a central gathering house which is named "iDEATH". In this environment, many things are made of watermelon sugar the inhabitants also use pine wood and stone for building material. The landscape of the novel is always changing. Each day has a different colored sun which creates different colored watermelons, and the central building also changes frequently. The narrator remains un-named throughout the book, and through his first person account we hear the story of the people and the events of iDEATH. The central tension is created by Margaret, once a lover of the narrator, and inBOIL, a rebellious man who has left iDEATH to live near a forbidden area called the Forgotten Works. It is a huge trash heap where the remnants of a former civilization lie abandoned in great piles. Margaret, a collector of such 'forgotten' things, is friendly with inBOIL and his followers, who explore the place and make whiskey. In the violent climax of the novel, inBOIL returns to the community along with a handful of followers, planning to show the residents what iDEATH really is. The residents know only that "something" is about to happen -- for all they know, inBOIL could be plotting to kill ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=1473552 ... Read more

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This book has been rejected 117 times. And it's all the fault of that evil, soul-hopping spirit that took over Richard Coldiron's head. Or maybe the other four people in there.

Richard Coldiron’s unauthorized autobiography follows his metafictional journey through a troubled childhood, where he meets his invisible friend, his other invisible friend...and then some who aren’t so friendly.

There’s Mister Milktoast, the protective punster; Little Hitler, who leers from the shadows; Loverboy, the lusty bastard; and Bookworm, who is thoughtful, introspective, and determined to solve the riddle of Richard’s disintegration into either madness or genius, and of course only makes things worse. They reside in the various rooms of his skull, a place known as the Bone House, and take turns rearranging the furniture. As Richard works on his autobiography, his minor characters struggle with their various redemptive arcs.

Richard keeps his cool despite the voices in his head, but he’s about to get a new tenant: the Insider, a malevolent soul-hopping spirit that may or may not be born from Richard’s nightmares and demands a co-writing credit and a little bit of foot-kissing dark worship.

Now Richard doesn’t know which voice to trust. The book’s been rejected 117 times. The people he loves keep turning up dead. And here comes the woman of his dreams.

----
In the style of Chuck Palahniuk, Jeff Lindsay's "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" series, and Bret Easton Ellis, but far worse than any of them, this is quite possibly the Worst Novel Ever Written.

Scott Nicholson, who put his name on Richard's book, is author of 12 other psychological and paranormal thrillers, including THE RED CHURCH and THE SKULL RING. Look for the sequel, THE TAO OF BOO, in 2011. Learn more about Scott's work at www.hauntedcomputer.com, and if you'd like him to to forward a message to Richard, email him at hauntedcomputer@yahoo.com. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Trippy Ride
This book is unlike any other Nicholson book that I've read, and I've about read them all. In fact, it's not quite like any other book I've read. Richard Coldiron is a normal guy--if you consider normal as having multiple individuals living in your head. Nicholson does a great job of capturing the feeling of what Coldiron is going through, living with multiple individuals vying for control of one body.

This was a great read, and if you consider Nicholson as a "horror" writer, you need to give this one a try. Nicholson showcases his tremendous versatility in this book, and it lacks none of his trademark rich prose.

Who is Richard Coldiron?
I have to say this is about the weirdest book I have ever read. I couldn't tell who is Richard Coldiron and who is Scott Nicholson. I'm one of Scott's biggest fans and I am still not sure he really wrote this. It is poignant and sad at times, then just plain old bizarre (if bizarre can be "plain"). One minute you're shuddering and the next you're laughing out loud.

And then when the multiple personalities start showing up, things really get wild! I don't know if this is a thriller, a horror story, a romance, a memoir, a mystery, or just one long joke. All I know is I couldn't stop reading.

Six-star review for "the worst novel ever written"
Scott Nicholson and Richard Coldiron are "co-authors" of Richard Coldiron's autobiography "As I Die Lying." Richard Coldiron is a victim of a troubled childhood, of cruel beatings, probable incest, alcoholic parents, a wrecked home-life, and very little love. No wonder his mind (the Bone House) is somewhat twisted and has to do all kinds of tricks so its owner can survive. And Richard is a survivor. As a child, he has an invisible friend who lessens his pain by whisking him away and taking the punishment in his stead. Later in life though, four slightly more problematic "friends" or voices in his head take control: Little Hitler, Loverboy, Mister Milktoast (what a name), and Bookworm, who sometimes get him out of difficult situations, take the blame for murder and mayhem, but also create the most dangerous and destructive situations. And, on top of it, we have the Insider, that creepy, selfish fellow, the devilish monster, evil incarnate, who manipulates the story of Richard's life to his own advantage.

The book is a literary treasure, creepy and cruel, witty, sarcastic, full of dark humor and with an undercurrent of sadness, but, most of all, enormously entertaining with great dialogue. It is a fascinating study of human psychology, of the conflicting voices and emotions in all of us, the darkness that lurks in the back of our minds and, if left unrecognized, threatens to overpower what's good in us. And last, but most importantly, it is a story of redemption and love. I heard rumors that Sigmund Freud turned around in his grave, pounding the coffin walls with his fists (or what was left of them), condemning the book. The real reason, however, was he was extremely upset that he didn't write it himself.

I would give this so-called "worst novel ever written" six stars but Amazon only allows for five, so five it is.

Christa Polkinhorn
Author, Love of a Stonemason
Path of Fire ... Read more

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These poems are, by turns, brutally realistic or surrrealistically witty."-Time ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Richard Gary Brautigan (January 30, 1935 - ca. September 14, 1984) was a 20th century American novelist, poet, and short story writer. His novels and stories often employ black comedy, parody, and satire. His best known work is his 1967 novel Trout Fishing in America.Brautigan was born in Tacoma, Washington, to Bernard Frederick Brautigan, Jr. (July 29, 1908 - May 27, 1994) a factory worker and laborer; and waitress Lulu Mary "Mary Lou" Keho (April 7, 1911 - September 24, 2005). In May 1934, eight months before Richard was born, Bernard and Mary Lou separated. Brautigan said that he met his biological father only twice, though after Brautigan's death Bernard Brautigan was said to be unaware that Richard was his child, saying "He's got the same last name, but why would they wait 45 to 50 years to tell me I've got a son." ... Read more

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This is nonfiction commentary. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Revenge of the Lawn, Please Plant This Book, the Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster, All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace, Rommel Drives on Deep Into Egypt, Loading Mercury With a Pitchfork, the Galilee Hitch-Hiker. Source: Wikipedia. Free updates online. Not illustrated. Excerpt: Revenge of the Lawn is a book of short stories written by the American author Richard Brautigan from 1962-1970. Like most of Brautigan's works, the stories are whimsical, simply themed, and often surreal. Many of the stories were originally published elsewhere. The book also contains two missing chapters from his work Trout Fishing in America, Rembrandt Creek and Carthage Sink. ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=4979076 ... Read more

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Chapters: Hervé Villechaize, Doodles Weaver, Richard Brautigan, Del Shannon, George Reeves, Gary Webb, Brian Keith, Wally Wood, Karl Dane, William F. Knowland, Larry Walters, Iris Chang, Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance, Shauna Grant, Pedro Armendáriz, Ed Flanders, Larry Williams, Pete Duel, Richard Jeni, Brenda Benet, Barry Brown, Mary Kay Bergman, David Rappaport, Jay Stewart, Donnie Moore, David Begelman, Sándor Márai, Frank Rosolino, Savannah, Ross Alexander, Clyde Bruckman, Dillwyn Parrish, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Hugh O'connor, Rick Jason, Jeremy Williams, Glen Sherley, Donald Defreeze, Don Carpenter, Richard Quine, Tom Forman, Buron Fitts, Dennis Crosby, Megan Leigh, Frank Churchill, John Spence, Erin Fleming, Jennifer San Marco, Donald Cammell, Edgar Zilsel, Jon Hall, Jonathan Hale, Aleta Freel, Judd Holdren, Drake Sather, Todd Armstrong, Chet Chadbourne, Jeremy Applegate, Duke York, George Fiske, Ricky Berry, Damien Marchessault, Billy Papke, Jason Thirsk, Ricardo Alfonso Cerna, Don "Red" Barry, John O'brien, Stanley Adams, Kevin Flanagan, Paul Snider, Ralph Works, Derrick Plourde, Juliann Graham, Dick Wesson, Ann Richards, Nelson Mcdowell, Lynn Reynolds, Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, Hollister Noble, Bruce Sarver, Valerie Chacon, John Leech, Gian Ferri. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 350. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Gary Webb (August 31, 1955 December 10, 2004) was a prize-winning American investigative journalist. Webb was best known for his 1996 "Dark Alliance" series of articles written for the San Jose Mercury News and later published as a book. In the three-part series, Webb investigated Nicaraguans linked to the CIA-backed Contras who had allegedly smuggled cocaine into the U.S. The smuggled cocaine was distributed as crack cocaine in Los Angeles, with the profits f...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=872243 ... Read more

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Chapters: Richard Brautigan, Peter Coyote, Diggers, Kirby Doyle, Diane Di Prima, Emmett Grogan. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 40. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Richard Gary Brautigan (January 30, 1935 ca. September 14, 1984) was a 20th century American novelist, poet, and short story writer. His novels and stories often employ black comedy, parody, and satire. His best known work is his 1967 novel Trout Fishing in America. Brautigan was born in Tacoma, Washington, to Bernard Frederick Brautigan, Jr. (July 29, 1908 May 27, 1994) a factory worker and laborer; and waitress Lulu Mary "Mary Lou" Keho (April 7, 1911 September 24, 2005). In May 1934, eight months before Richard was born, Bernard and Mary Lou separated. Brautigan said that he met his biological father only twice, though after Brautigan's death Bernard Brautigan was said to be unaware that Richard was his child, saying "He's got the same last name, but why would they wait 45 to 50 years to tell me I've got a son." In 1938, Brautigan and his mother began cohabiting with a man named Arthur Martin Titland. The couple had a daughter together named Barbara Ann, born on May 1, 1939. Brautigan claimed that he had a very traumatic experience when his mother left him alone with his two-year-old sister in a motel room in Great Falls, Montana, where he did not know the whereabouts of his mother until she returned two days later. On January 20, 1943, Mary Lou married fry cook Robert Geoffrey Porterfield. They had a daughter, Sandra Jean, born April 1, 1945. Mary Lou told Brautigan that Porterfield was his biological father, and Brautigan began using Richard Gary Porterfield as his name. Mary Lou separated from Porterfield in 1946, and married William David Folston, Sr., on June 12, 1950. Folston was recalled as being a violent al...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=152265 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Available online
Octopus Frontier consists of 22 poems, 17 of which were later collected in The Pill. The full text of this book is available on brautigandotnet. I enjoy Brautigan's poetry, and this book is no exception. ... Read more