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boatemaa 's review for:
In Watermelon Sugar
by Richard Brautigan
I can't lie, I read this book because of pop music icon, Harry Styles. Or, more accurately, I read this book after watching Jack Edward's Youtube review of Styles' immaculate literary taste (which often influences his lyrics, and in this case, clearly inspired his hit song, "Watermelon Sugar"). What I got from this book, though, did not enlighten my understanding of Style's song. If anything, it left me more confused and curious than ever—spotting allusions where there are likely none and vice versa.
I'm honestly not entirely sure how I feel about this book. It's undoubtedly a post-modern, dystopian novel of creative genius... and yet, the whimsicality of Brautigan's writing style left my mind simultaneously immersed in this fantastical world and muddled by its underlying eeriness. What was particularly brilliant was that, despite the brevity of this work (which consisted of oddly broken sentences and ideas), there were some lines that were absolutely beautiful—perhaps hinting at the potential for greatness that the narrator, an aspiring writer, possesses despite his odd disposition. It certainly hints at the general brilliance of Brautigan's own writing ability as, although the narrator outlines all he plans to discuss towards the beginning of the book, I was still left wanting. Perhaps it is because the little information we are given as readers is often made contradictory by the potentially unreliable narrator. Not to mention the fact that the narrator's communication with other members of his society can only be described as nonsensical.
I think the part that surprised me most, however, had nothing to do with the book at all. But instead, it had to do with what came after the final page was flipped. I was shocked and disappointed to find a lack of public engagement with "In Watermelon Sugar" as it has been so well-reviewed and obviously mentally challenging. Maybe this is a reflection of the fact that I am not alone in my confusion? Or perhaps Brautigan never intended for his consumers to fully digest his work? Regardless, I will certainly be chewing over Brautigan's words for quite a while... and I look forward to seeing what other readers analyze as this book resurges in popularity.
I'm honestly not entirely sure how I feel about this book. It's undoubtedly a post-modern, dystopian novel of creative genius... and yet, the whimsicality of Brautigan's writing style left my mind simultaneously immersed in this fantastical world and muddled by its underlying eeriness. What was particularly brilliant was that, despite the brevity of this work (which consisted of oddly broken sentences and ideas), there were some lines that were absolutely beautiful—perhaps hinting at the potential for greatness that the narrator, an aspiring writer, possesses despite his odd disposition. It certainly hints at the general brilliance of Brautigan's own writing ability as, although the narrator outlines all he plans to discuss towards the beginning of the book, I was still left wanting. Perhaps it is because the little information we are given as readers is often made contradictory by the potentially unreliable narrator. Not to mention the fact that the narrator's communication with other members of his society can only be described as nonsensical.
I think the part that surprised me most, however, had nothing to do with the book at all. But instead, it had to do with what came after the final page was flipped. I was shocked and disappointed to find a lack of public engagement with "In Watermelon Sugar" as it has been so well-reviewed and obviously mentally challenging. Maybe this is a reflection of the fact that I am not alone in my confusion? Or perhaps Brautigan never intended for his consumers to fully digest his work? Regardless, I will certainly be chewing over Brautigan's words for quite a while... and I look forward to seeing what other readers analyze as this book resurges in popularity.