Traveling Sprinkler

Traveling Sprinkler by Nicholson Baker (2013) I wouldn’t normally jump right into the next book of a series (I guess you could call this a two-book series), but after enjoying The Anthologist (2009) so much, I thought, why not. Like I said, the narrator, Paul Chowder, reminded me of an old friend—and I felt like, if not now, maybe I’d never get around to seeing what he’s up to next. I had especially liked his discussion of poets and poetry I know nothing about. The funny thing is, in this book (in which he’s working on his own collection, to be titled “Misery Hat”) he talks about his love for Yukon Jack (no!) and smoking (he even tries smokeless tobacco!) and he makes his foray into strong cigars sound enticing. (A few years back, I had a similar flirtation with cigars, until one of Kinky Friedman’s messed me up so much, I was afraid I had a mini-stroke.) He also buys a guitar at Best Buy and starts writing songs, then gets deep into recording and sampling software—all of that—while talking about his former love, the bassoon. So, I’m thinking—go back to the bassoon!—but of course, that’s not practical, but still… Eventually, I was struck by the odd thought, might Baker be trying to turn us against the loveable Paul Chowder? I definitely felt an escalating alienation—but was that just me? What if I was really his friend? I’d love to meet him for breakfast at The Friendly Toast (I’ve visited Portsmouth, NH, and would move there right now if I could find a job and reasonable rent). Would I tell him, you’ve gotta just get over Roz—what’s past is past—that getting back together obsession is not healthy. But then, when he tells me about that guy she’s seeing… well, maybe you’re right, Paul. I won’t give away the further events. One wonders if we’ll see the Chowder Trilogy? I don’t think so, but I might not be able to resist it.

6.8.24