Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan: A Sublime and Surrealistic Tale

Richard Brautigan's 1967 novel Trout Fishing in America is a unique and unforgettable work that defies easy categorization. It is at once a surreal and dreamlike tale of friendship and isolation, a meditation on the meaning of life, and a poignant exploration of the American psyche. The novel follows the adventures of two friends, Tr Trout and Nat Hentoff, as they travel across America in search of the perfect place to fish for trout. Along the way, they encounter a cast of eccentric characters and have a series of surreal and often hilarious adventures. But beneath the surface of the novel's quirky humor and whimsical charm lies a deeper current of sadness and loss.

Trout Fishing in America

by Richard Brautigan

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1007 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	162 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	358 pages
Item Weight	:	1.74 pounds

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Tr Trout is a young man who is disillusioned with the world. He has dropped out of college and is drifting through life without any clear sense of purpose. Nat Hentoff is a jazz musician who is struggling to make a living. He is also lonely and isolated, and he sees in Tr Trout a kindred spirit. The two friends decide to embark on a road trip together, in search of a place where they can find peace and happiness. They travel across the country, meeting a variety of people and having a series of adventures. But no matter where they go, they cannot escape the feeling of emptiness and loss that haunts them.

Trout Fishing in America is a novel about friendship, isolation, and the search for meaning in a surreal and dreamlike world. It is a funny, sad, and ultimately hopeful book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

The Characters

The two main characters in Trout Fishing in America are Tr Trout and Nat Hentoff. Tr Trout is a young man who is disillusioned with the world. He has dropped out of college and is drifting through life without any clear sense of purpose. Nat Hentoff is a jazz musician who is struggling to make a living. He is also lonely and isolated, and he sees in Tr Trout a kindred spirit. The two friends decide to embark on a road trip together, in search of a place where they can find peace and happiness.

Tr Trout is a complex and enigmatic character. He is intelligent and sensitive, but he is also deeply pessimistic and cynical. He has a hard time connecting with other people, and he often feels like an outsider. Nat Hentoff is a more optimistic and outgoing character, but he is also struggling with his own demons. He is lonely and isolated, and he is searching for a sense of purpose in his life.

The relationship between Tr Trout and Nat Hentoff is the heart of the novel. The two friends are drawn to each other because they are both outsiders. They both feel lost and alone, and they both long for a sense of connection. Their friendship is a lifeline for both of them, but it is also a source of tension and conflict. The two friends often disagree, and they sometimes hurt each other. But ultimately, their friendship is unbreakable.

The Setting

Trout Fishing in America is set in a surreal and dreamlike world. The novel is full of strange and wonderful imagery, and the characters often seem to be living in a world of their own imagination. The novel's setting is both beautiful and frightening, and it reflects the inner world of the characters.

The novel begins in San Francisco, but Tr Trout and Nat Hentoff quickly leave the city behind. They travel across the country, staying in a variety of places, including a commune, a monastery, and a fishing cabin. The novel's setting is constantly changing, and it often seems to be a reflection of the characters' inner states. The novel's dreamlike setting allows Brautigan to explore the themes of friendship, isolation, and the search for meaning in a unique and unforgettable way.

The Themes

Trout Fishing in America explores a variety of themes, including friendship, isolation, and the search for meaning. The novel is a meditation on the American psyche, and it captures the feeling of alienation and loneliness that many Americans felt in the 1960s. The novel also explores the theme of the search for meaning in life. Tr Trout and Nat Hentoff are both searching for something more in life, and they hope to find it by fishing for trout in America.

The novel's title is significant, as it suggests that the characters are searching for something elusive and unattainable. Trout fishing is a metaphor for the search for meaning in life, and the characters' journey is ultimately unsuccessful. The novel ends with Tr Trout and Nat Hentoff still searching for something more in life, but they have come to accept that they may never find it.

Trout Fishing in America is a unique and unforgettable novel that defies easy categorization. It is a funny, sad, and ultimately hopeful book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. The novel explores the themes of friendship, isolation, and the search for meaning in a surreal and dreamlike world. It is a classic of American literature and a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the darker side of the American dream.

Trout Fishing in America

by Richard Brautigan

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1007 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	162 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	358 pages
Item Weight	:	1.74 pounds

FREE