The Dead Father is Dead; Long Live the Dead Father

That was certainly an adventure.

Barthelme's The Dead Father was an enjoyable, albeit perplexing read. Since my last update the group read aloud the Manual for Sons which discusses various aspects of fatherhood and what types of fathers you should look out for (the falling father being one of the most dangerous). It was in this section of the book that I found the quote that inspired me to get the book itself:

"He is mad about being small when you were big, but no that's not it, he is mad about being helpless when you were powerful, but no not that either, he is mad about being contingent when you were necessary, not quite it, he is insane because when he loved you, you didn't notice."

This largely sums up the purpose of the book-within-a-book as the fathers are often there to bother their sons. The startling conclusion, however, is that it is also the son's job to become the father, but to try to water down the role.

The chapters directly after quickly conclude the book. A horsemen who has been following the group is revealed, and quickly, as her name/position would imply, is sent away. Julie and Thomas have the most sterile and mechanical sex scene I have ever read, and the ways that people can make life so routine is revealed in the same way that humans can most affectionately express themselves. The book ends as one might expect, though it still is a bit unsettling.

Though a quick read, it deserves some time, and it would be a good idea to have a notebook or journal handy while you're reading. There are things that fascinated me that i know i am not recalling simply because there were so many additional things that ended up stealing my attention. This is the book that makes me wish i was in a "20-Century American Novel" class as I am sure it deserves more company.