As I said in another reply, just go to Texas State University, Flower’s Building, and have a smoke with him outside. He will talk your ear off and it is amazing. And, to boot, in Austin, at the Ransom Center are his papers, etc. Right along with DFW. He is the best.
He is rad. I did grad studies in Lit at Texas State, and was luccy enough to not only have him as a teacher, but to smoke outside the building with him and just … hear him talk. He speaks with an eloquence (even in jest) of which I could only dream.
I am currently reading America Fantastica, and it is brilliant. I have read all of his other stuff. Going After Cacciato deserves the praise it gets, and more.
I love his comedies, and some of his dramas, and this is poor timing. I am also a recovering alcoholic. Matthew Perry’s new book is a portrayal of the most narcissistic “poor me” pile of bullshit I have ever read. “I do this because of what YOU did to ME!” Had me shaknig my head. I did finish it, but was shaking my head the whole time. He just never takes any responsibility for his actions, and misrepresents addiction in an irresponsible way.
He wrote that in his early 20s. The series gets much better. But, to each their own! Even he acknowledges in a prologue that it was a creative-writing major, ego-stricken kid who wrote that first book.
Do it! Not many people smoke nowadays, and he wears a Vietman hat and just … talks. Super cool. There isn’t a crowd, most younger folks haven’t heard of him (no judgement), so it’s him being chill and funny.