The Book Oasis

The Book Oasis Blog

Monday, September 19th

Belated Eulogy for Hunter Thompson

Recently I got to rereading my collection of the works of Hunter Thompson, and realized that I had not written up my own thoughts about the man, whose works I've closely followed for more than 20 years. Bogus and bizarre though he may have been, Thompson was a writer that I will never forget!

I studied journalism in college, and my final report was based on Hunter Thompson's work, with my primary focus being on his article, "Presenting the Richard Nixon Doll (Overhauled 1968 Model)". His work was incisive, and the very first paragraph correctly cites Nixon as both a fraud and a dangerously paranoid one.

Ah, if only we had listened!

I've read all of his books except the new one, Kingdom of Fear, which details how he won the 99 day trial which included 3 felony charges. His defense was that he had the right to do what he wanted in his own house. Of course, that was entirely in keeping with his personal style. He was not a man to shrink from conflict, he reveled in it. He once said, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." It took me years to understand the true meaning of the statement, but it makes a (perverse) sort of sense. When things get too strange or difficult, those who have been strange and difficult all their lives will feel at home, and they will get things done.

The book of his that I have enjoyed the most in the last two years was "The Proud Highway" which is a collection of his most early work, from a poem he wrote in high school (wonderful!) through copies of his correspondence, to letters he wrote to his then-girlfriend, clear up to the early work he did for what would become the Hells Angels book. The writings reveal what is frankly a powerful creative force striving for expression. At one point, to improve his writing style, he copies the entirety of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' word for word. Not content with the plethora of rejections he receives from prospective employers, he offers himself as a foreign correspondent to a fledgling news magazine and tramps off to South America with a girlfriend playing the part of his secretary on the receiving end of a telephone, in order to lend credibility. Thompson was never short on daring or gall.

Throughout it all, Thompson's writings reveal an active, inventive mind caught between the suffocating society of the 1950s & early 1960s and his own inconoclasm. At one point when he is in San Francisco in 1965, he writes to the American Motor Company to complain about the state of his car, and cleverly twists the letter into a form of bureaucratic blackmail: supply him with a new car, or he will show off the wreck, which deteriorated in only three years. Pure inventive maliciousness!

I highly recommend "The Proud Highway".

Another good book is, "Hunter: The Strange and Savage Life of Hunter S. Thompson", by E. Jean Carroll. A good straightforward look at Thompson, covering his painful early years (his mother was an alcoholic) clear up to the obscenity trial which comes across as a horrible frame attempt.

My favorite book, however, has to be "The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time". It's a collection of his freelance work, with the best story being "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent & Depraved", which details his very first team-up with English artist Ralph Steadman.

I was very saddened to hear about Thompson's death, but in a way, it makes a sad sort of sense. In 1965 (I think that was the year) Thompson visited Ketcham Idaho, where Ernest Hemingway spent his last few years (read his story, "What Lured Hemingway to Ketcham?", in The Great Shark Hunt). Thompson's conclusion was that all the great places that Hemingway had known--France, Spain, Africa, Cuba, and all the people he'd loved, were gone. All that was left was a lonely house, acquaintances, memorabilia, and memories. Ketcham had become a living tomb for a man whose time was past. Perhaps that was how Thompson felt.

One can argue that he wasn't alone. Thompson was married to a young wife, his son Juan was visiting at the time, along with his grandson. Thompson had a stream of visitors, and a new movie starring Johnny Depp was being filmed. And yet, that wasn't enough.

Recently a note was discovered, containing what are probably his last words, "No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun -- for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age." Now, put it in perspective: Thompson was recovering from a broken hip. Undoubtedly his mobility was limited, which eliminated walking, swimming, and certainly hunting, a favorite activity of his. Another favorite (detailed in Carroll's biography, Hunter) was loading oil drums with bombs or dynamite, and shooting them one of his many firearms! So, "No more bombs". All his favorite pasttimes were denied him. Like Hemingway, everything he knew and loved was gone. So, he wrote his own ending.

Someone once said, "If you wish to achieve immortality, write a book or have a child." Thompson did both, and I am sure he will always be remembered.

Larry Burdick on 09.19.05 @ 01:39 AM PST [link]

Saturday, September 17th

Drive-Bys

There's been a new breed of person that I've noticed recently: the Drive-By; a person who's always driven past the store, but never come in. I have to ask, why not?

The simple answer is the construction going on out front. The maze of ribbons and pylons on the sides of the road convince most drivers that there's no way to get into my parking lot. However, the construction workers have left the entrace clear (except for the days when they've got the backhoe there for a digging job!). You can get in and park, and there's a raised gravel path to the door. Not difficult.

The other answer is a bit more complex: I actually think there's something intimidating about a bookstore to some people. For those of poor reading skills, it's a bit embarassing to walk into a place where you don't feel comfortable. I had a customer once who always bought children's books, and later Hardy Boys mysteries, ostensibly for his son. After several months, he admitted that he didn't read well enough for other books. But, I was able to find books which gradually eased him into higher and higher reading levels. The last time I saw him, he was tackling Tom Clancy books with gusto.

Another type of 'drive-by' person is the Procrastinator: "I'll go in there someday," they tell themselves. Months and years pass before they get around to it, and who knows what they've missed? I had such a person recently, who ended up walking out with classics of poetry, and a sheepish expression.

The procrastination comes, I think, from the peace with which routine will give you. Errands, once performed, are laid to rest with the drive home and the glance at the shop, followed by the comforting thought, "Someday I'll stop in." Just remember, though, that once a bookshop closes, it rarely comes back. Then the procrastinator is left with "If Only". If Only I'd gone in; If Only I'd found some books I liked; If Only the store had waited just a little longer, etc. But an opportunity lost is never found again.

When I was about ten, there used to be an antiques shop in town, which, as I recall, had an antique cannon in the front window. I always told myself that one day I would walk in and buy it for myself. I never did, and one day the store closed and the cannon disappeared. I have to wonder if they would actually have sold it to me, a small child with an active imagination. Of course, even if they had, I'm sure the gun was spiked. Fortunately, books cannot be sabotaged! So, all you drive-bys, lay aside your reasons and come inside!
Larry Burdick on 09.17.05 @ 12:54 PM PST [link]

Saturday, September 3rd

New Books Galore

One of the most common comments I hear from people is "Someday I'm going to open a bookshop." Maybe so, but your best bet is to volunteer your time in a bookshop or library to see if it's right for you. I've seen many a "flash in the pan"; people who start hot and burn out quickly. Being a bookseller is a test in patience and tenacity, and the problems that arise cannot be solved by just throwing money at them, but oh my lord, how many people try that!

There's an old story circulated among book merchants about a man who opened a store with the gimmick, "Bring three books and get one for free!" Nice trick to get stock, but it didn't help his bank account. According to the tale, he somehow managed to stay in business for two years and then folded, by which time he had two storage lockers filled to the rafters with books. And a lot of debt, of course.

To paraphrase an old saying, "Man does not live by books alone." ;)

Another wannabe bookseller burst onto the scene with a huge store, brand-new store-bought shelves, a huge staff, and even a marketing director! He brought in stock from other stores and invested in a huge advertising blitz. The initial crowds were good, but the stock was substandard; the advertising kept going until finally the business went belly up. Simply put, whoever stocked the books wasn't a reader.

If you're going to merchandise a single product, know it. I'm reminded of the short story, "The Sound of Summer Running" by Ray Bradbury. In brief, a boy wants new sneakers for the summer, and at the end of the story is arguing with a shoe salesman who isn't wearing sneakers. "Candy store man eats his own candy, don't [sic] he? Cigar store man smokes cigars!" The salesman is entranced by wearing the sneakers, and strikes a deal with the boy. Very good story! I believe it's in Bradbury's book, "'R' is for Rocket".

Many are the times when a customer comes in and finds me sitting in my easy chair with my nose in a book. My new read behind the counter is a copy of "Frankly Speaking: Trader Vic's Own Story". VERY readable!

We have new stock!

I was fortunate enough to be invited to review a personal library, and bought several boxes worth of books. Amongst the purchases:

Island in the Sky, by Ernest K. Gann. First Edition, Second Printing. This was Gann's first adult book, and is a riveting story of an Air Transport pilot. The book has long been out of print, and the movie (starring John Wayne) has never been available on VHS or DVD.

Who's Who in the Bible, by Comay & Browning.

An Encyclopedia of Chinese Food and Cooking.

The Art of Arranging Flowers, by Shozo Sato. This is probably one of the best books explaining the art, and is quite a good explanation of Japanese Ikebana (flower arrangment). Our copy is encased in a transparent plastic jacket to prevent wear.

My Stomach Goes Traveling, by Walter Slezak

Mountains and Molehills, by Frank Marryat. This is the 1952 reproduction of the original 1855 copy, which is still cited by historians as 'the' book about Gold Rush California.

Drifting Down the Delta, by Erle Stanley Gardner. The creator of Perry Mason takes a cruise on the California Delta in 1969. Although best known for his courtroom drama mysteries, very few people were aware of his travel writing. Quite good reading!

That's My Story, by Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan. Signed and Inscribed! The story of the famous flyer who intended to fly to California, and wound up in Ireland!

Many more books here, too many to list. Come on in and see them!

BONUS: The construction boss tells me that the roadwork out front will be finished in Mid-November. All you loyal customers, I still need you!

Larry Burdick on 09.03.05 @ 04:46 PM PST [link]