Glad you liked the suggestion, Liz! I wasn't aware it was out of print - I've checked Amazon here, too - and it only looks like used (rather expensive) copies are available. I thought there might be a copy at Powells.com (don't know if you've ever ordered anything from that Portland, OR - based bookstore - it's amazing and they ship everywhere) but there's nothing. I misplaced my copy years ago and was going to get a copy when I'm back in the States this summer. Guess it'll be more of a search than I intended! I'll let you know if I find a source!
Thanks again, Bryan! “Been Down So Long” was one of the books I loved most during freshman year in college. I wanted to be Gnossos; started carrying silver dollars and even managed to dip some cigarettes in paregoric (don’t try this at home, kids), but while the affectations didn’t last long, Farina’s writing did. I don’t know if I’d enjoy the book as much now, but I cherish the memory.
Very glad you liked this! It was one I picked up after getting into Pynchon. I'm not sure if I'd appreciate it as much now, though - but it was great during college! And cigarettes dipped in paregoric ... nice?!
Adding this one to my list of books to read in 2024 list, too. Thanks, Bryan! Any thoughts on where I can purchase a copy? A quick look at Amazon and B&N shows that it's not available from them. Will definitely check our local indie bookstore tomorrow, too.
I've been completely ignorant of Richard Fariña my whole life. So thanks for this important history lesson! I'll take some time to listen to the tracks you shared and I've added his book to my (lengthy) "books to check out" list. Man, that mid-California coastline has taken far too many greats from us. I don't like to drive down to Big Sur anymore because of it (I'm in Oakland).
I only discovered him because of the Pynchon connection. Let me know about the tracks - a couple of them have become earworms that I've been humming here and there (and certainly annoying some of my students, but that's par for the course). Not sure where you'll find a copy of the book - library? used book store? I'm going to make a big assumption and think Oakland's pretty up for a copy in some fashion or another?! My copy was lost years ago, and I was planning to pick up one from Barnes and Nobles in a couple of weeks when my son and I are in NC, but that doesn't seem to be a viable option.
And that California highway? Damn. We were on it in 2019, driving from Carmel to LA - the PCH might be one of the most beautiful roads in the world, but you pay for that beauty. Won't be doing that anytime soon. Unless I'm doing a session at Esalen ... which won't be happening, I'm afraid.
Glad you liked the suggestion, Liz! I wasn't aware it was out of print - I've checked Amazon here, too - and it only looks like used (rather expensive) copies are available. I thought there might be a copy at Powells.com (don't know if you've ever ordered anything from that Portland, OR - based bookstore - it's amazing and they ship everywhere) but there's nothing. I misplaced my copy years ago and was going to get a copy when I'm back in the States this summer. Guess it'll be more of a search than I intended! I'll let you know if I find a source!
Thanks again, Bryan! “Been Down So Long” was one of the books I loved most during freshman year in college. I wanted to be Gnossos; started carrying silver dollars and even managed to dip some cigarettes in paregoric (don’t try this at home, kids), but while the affectations didn’t last long, Farina’s writing did. I don’t know if I’d enjoy the book as much now, but I cherish the memory.
Very glad you liked this! It was one I picked up after getting into Pynchon. I'm not sure if I'd appreciate it as much now, though - but it was great during college! And cigarettes dipped in paregoric ... nice?!
Adding this one to my list of books to read in 2024 list, too. Thanks, Bryan! Any thoughts on where I can purchase a copy? A quick look at Amazon and B&N shows that it's not available from them. Will definitely check our local indie bookstore tomorrow, too.
I've been completely ignorant of Richard Fariña my whole life. So thanks for this important history lesson! I'll take some time to listen to the tracks you shared and I've added his book to my (lengthy) "books to check out" list. Man, that mid-California coastline has taken far too many greats from us. I don't like to drive down to Big Sur anymore because of it (I'm in Oakland).
I only discovered him because of the Pynchon connection. Let me know about the tracks - a couple of them have become earworms that I've been humming here and there (and certainly annoying some of my students, but that's par for the course). Not sure where you'll find a copy of the book - library? used book store? I'm going to make a big assumption and think Oakland's pretty up for a copy in some fashion or another?! My copy was lost years ago, and I was planning to pick up one from Barnes and Nobles in a couple of weeks when my son and I are in NC, but that doesn't seem to be a viable option.
And that California highway? Damn. We were on it in 2019, driving from Carmel to LA - the PCH might be one of the most beautiful roads in the world, but you pay for that beauty. Won't be doing that anytime soon. Unless I'm doing a session at Esalen ... which won't be happening, I'm afraid.