Re: OOPS, I did it again!

On Wed, 1 Apr 2026 12:03:17 -0600
chefly <[email protected]> wrote:

"Sombrero Fallout: A Japanese Novel
Novel by Richard Brautigan

Sombrero Fallout:=20

A Japanese Novel is a surreal 1976 novel by American author Richard
Brautigan about a heartbroken writer whose story about a sombrero
falling from the sky takes on a life of its own, mirroring his own
emotional turmoil and leading to chaos in a small town. The book
interweaves two narratives: the writer's real-life breakup with his
Japanese girlfriend and the fictional story of the mysterious, ice-cold
sombrero that lands in a desert town, causing division and conflict.
It's known for its blend of humor, sadness, and surrealism, exploring
themes of love, loss, and the nature of storytelling.=20

Key aspects of the novel:

Dual narratives: The story follows a writer trying to cope with a breakup a=
nd the fictional tale of a sombrero that falls from the sky, which he aband=
ons but which continues to develop on its own.=20
Surreal premise: A black sombrero, size 7=C2=BC, falls inexplicably from th=
e sky, and its presence divides the town, leading to arguments and riots.=20

Themes:=20

It explores heartbreak, loneliness, and the way personal emotional
struggles can manifest in the wider world, all with Brautigan's
signature blend of the absurd and the poignant.=20

Publication:=20

It was published in 1976, making it Brautigan's seventh novel."

@dsi1 - have you read any of his works?