A Confederate General from Big Sur

A Confederate General from Big Sur is a diffuse and rambling novel that occasionally sparkles.  Before going their separate ways, narrator Jesse and his pal Lee Mellon converge, drink, and then go their separate ways. They conduct an epistolary correspondence and meet up again. Elaine and Elizabeth are the women in Jesse and Lee's lives. They have lesser though critical roles in bringing this first novel to its anticlimax. 

As the novel progresses, Mellon's delusions become increasingly intertwined with the present-day events in Big Sur. He interacts with a cast of eccentric characters. The aforementioned poet named Jesse and a group of beatniks who live nearby are among that group. These characters both humor and challenge Mellon's beliefs, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.

The novel explores themes of identity, nostalgia, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Mellon's obsession with the past reflects a longing for a simpler time and a desire to hold on to a romanticized version of history. However, his encounters with the modern world and the people around him force him to confront the limitations of his beliefs.

A whimsical and poetic style characterizes Brautigan's writing in A Confederate General at Big Sur. It blends humor and melancholy. The novel employs a fragmented narrative structure, incorporating dream-like sequences, lyrical descriptions, and offbeat dialogue.

While the novel may not adhere to traditional storytelling conventions, it offers a unique and imaginative exploration of the human condition. Brautigan's blend of history, fantasy, and humor creates a surreal and thought-provoking reading experience.