VANCOUVER, Wash. 鈥 William 鈥淕atz鈥 Hjortsberg, author of a comprehensive biography of late novelist and poet Richard Brautigan entitled, 鈥淛ubilee Hitchhiker: The Life and Times of Richard Brautigan,鈥 will read from his book at the Clark County Historical Museum March 17 at 1:30 p.m.
The Clark County Historical Museum is home to the Brautigan Library, a collection of nearly 300 unpublished manuscripts from international unpublished authors. It was inspired by Brautigan鈥檚 novel 鈥淭he Abortion: An Historical Romance 1966.鈥 The Brautigan Library is a partnership between the museum and the creative media and digital culture program at Washington State University Vancouver. The library is led by John F. Barber, a CMDC faculty member and noted Brautigan scholar.
Hjortsberg was a long-time friend of Washington-born Brautigan. When Brautigan took his own life in September of 1984 his close friends and network of artists and writers were devastated though not entirely surprised. To many, Brautigan was an enigma, erratic and unpredictable in his habits and presentation. But his career was formidable, an inspiration to young writers like Hjortsberg trying to get their start. Hjortsberg鈥檚 reading on Saturday is the only one scheduled in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.
Hjortsberg is well known for his screenplays and novels. He is the author of 鈥淔alling Angel,鈥 a book he adapted for the film 鈥淎ngel Heart,鈥 starring Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the reading contact Barber at jfbarber@vancouver.wsu.edu. For more information about The Brautigan Library, visit .
The Clark County Historical Museum is located at 1511 Main Street in Vancouver's 1909 Carnegie Library. Regular museum hours are Tuesday 鈥 Saturday, 11 a.m. 鈥 4 p.m. Admission is charged. The museum is open from 5 鈥 9 p.m. during the First Thursday Museum After Hours program. For more information call 360-993-5679 or visit .
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MEDIA CONTACTS
John Barber, Creative Media and Digital Culture, 360-546-9645, jfbarber@vancouver.wsu.edu
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu