Books: (Fiction) by Richard L. Matteson Jr.
I started writing my first fictional novel when I was in Junior High School. It was never finished and is now lost- haha- probably for the best!
I outlined a novel in the 1970s which would be based loosely on my adventures as head of S.P.E.C. (Security and Protection of Employees Committee), a union I formed in 1977 to negotiate wages and conditions at a waterbed factory in Beltsville Maryland. I gathered some information but the novel was never started.
Here are my three completed short novels with a brief synopsis and some background information about each one. I may make the entire novels available (attached) or just excerpts (attached).
CONTENTS:
1) How Now Brown Cow- 1974; 245 double spaced pages. This simply written yet almost incomprehensible work has twelve chapters. The chapters alternate between two plots: a) the cows, their capture, journey and their ultimate demise b) the bleak existance of the oridinary people, mixed with a plot involving cops gangsters and drug smuggling.
Background: The book was written when I was in college and depicts real people in my failed love interest. The real people are cows. I am also protrayed by one of the cows.
Reviews: I can say that a number of people liked the book, not that they understood it. One published author wasn't enthusiastic about the book said, "It wasn't going to be easy to find a publisher." Several avid readers didn't get it at all- they had no idea that there were cows in the book.
My Take: This is a rough, incomprehensible, sometimes poignant, sometimes well-written book. There are several chapters that I feel are rough diamonds by themselves. There is some language, including the "f" word which is almost passe now. The humor of cows' dialogue is intentionally forced, which makes some of the dialogue scenes drag.
2) The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus- 1981; 258 double spaced pages. This short book has 12 chapters and a short epilogue. The title is taken from a Spirit album with the same title. Dr. Sardonicus is a mad-scientist who because of severe scarring to his face from an accident, refuses to go outside his laboratory/home. he takes in a border, Geoff a college student who he hires to run errands and go shopping for him. Dr. Sardonicus only solace is his dreams, where he is whole again. The book has two plots: a) Dr. Sandonicus' twelve dreams and b) the real waking world with Geoff.
Background: The book was written whle I was lving in Beaufort, SC in the early 1980s. It depicts one of my failed love interests; I assume the role of Geoff and Lori assumes the role of Laura.
Laura (Lori)
Reviews: Several people loved the book, I never had any bad reviews by readers (most of them were friends though- haha)
My Take: This is a tough read, nothing is explained. The dreams are short stories and some aren't related to the rest of the book. Some of the dream chapters are innovative and bizzare. I feel this is a well-written book. There's mythological and religious imagery- which may seem extreme.
3) The Braes of Yarrow- 1990; 156 pages, mostly double spaced pages. This short book is based on the Child ballad, The Braes of Yarrow. Set in the 1960s in rural Appalachia, the story is about the tragic romance of Rod, a working-class guy from the wrong side of the tracks, and Michelle, the daughter of the wealthiest man in the region- William Barker.
Background: The book came to me in a dream one night after I had looked at the ballad. I woke up in the middle of the night and wrote the whole outline of the book. The book was completed in two or three days. It's perhaps too short to be considered a novel but I decided not to rewrite it since it seemed complete.
Reviews: People like the book.
My Take: There's nothing complicated about this book, it's easy to understand and straightforward. You can breeze through it in a day. I think it's at times funny almost goofy, insightful and has powerful scenes and characters.
Available for purchase: There are several original copies available: price $12 plus shipping (Spiral bound)