If So Carried by the Wind

by Seth Kupchick

"If So Carried by the Wind" is a memoir but also a very tight story focusing on the summer of '93. The author, Seth Kupchick, is an editor for his mentor's novel, and the project takes them to Hal Chase's farm, a Beat-era legend and their patron. Soon, the project is overwhelmed by Hal, and his intellectual arguments against Casey, the mentor, become the conflict of the story, while the conceit and resolution are in the narrator's head. "If So Carried by the Wind" is so many things at once it's hard to classify - a journalistic account, literary history, ethnography, family drama - but it's mostly about self-reflection through two luminaries who come to blows, and the author's youthful reaction to them.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2013

About the author

My books are movies in words.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best things about Goodreads, I never would have come across this book if it wasn't for this site. Creative non-fiction is new to me, was pretty confused to start off with but soon settled in and found myself wishing I could also spend a few weeks on Hal's beat farm, some of the things he comes out with are very witty and deep. It was interesting reading about Hal, a character on the fringes on the beat generation, influencing things here and there. The book's introduction was very clever, giving an insight into Seth Kupchick's career, hopefully the publishers will be able to dig up more of his work :)

[Anthony Kizer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book more then I originally thought I would. The book does an amazing job at delving into the life of these people for a short summer, and giving enough details that I could understand and be able to vividly see the life on that farm. Well done!

I got the book from the author for my review.

[Jonabirnaol.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart, funny, memorable book. You will not forget the real life characters Seth Kupchick describes. He writes with curiosity and kindness about living with powerful, eccentric people. The book is more than the characters, though. Seth Kupchick also places his subjects right in the middle of the discussion about "making art" versus "your life as art." I am going to read it again because I enjoyed it so much.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is totally different to what I was expecting. I'm glad I gave it a go as it turned out to be a very enjoyable read. I was so engrossed that I didn't want it to end. I could have stayed on Hal's farm for years, listening to his words of wisdom.

I look forward to reading more of this authors work, should it appear anywhere ;-) (You have to read the author's notes to get that)

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read.

[Mark Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast and enjoyable read, I liked the inclusion of characters from past generations brought to the present almost. The move to the Northwest was a bit of leap after Dos Reyes though, (i hope i spelled correct).