Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me - Richard Fariña BOOK REVIEW

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

I forgot to say it, but this was better than food.

[@AndalusianIrish]

Cliff let's get a petition going and send it to Penguin.

[@jokafofinha1867]

Dizem que livro é igual pizza. Até quando é ruim... é bom :-))

[@Desperation--Live]

Exciting! Also have you heard of a movie called the lighthouse? I highly recommend that

[@DemeterTelphousia-Erinyes]

Even chocolate?? I’ll believe you! I love Kerouac, Thompson and Bukowski so it’s time to read it. Edit- it’s £62 for a secondhand copy on UK Amazon! Maybe I’ll find it in a charity shop!

[@CorbCorbin]

@@DemeterTelphousia-Erinyes I find it hard to believe it’s not online in some form, somewhere. I mean look for a fan site, or Facebook group, snd ask for a file of the book. Or, have you already read it, and just looking for a proper copy?

[@colbyjack8761]

I had fifty bucks to my name when I got back up to college this fall after reading this in January. Dropped it all on a used copy. This thing is definitely more valuable than food

[@carollynn1664]

I stumbled upon this review completely by accident and I am so glad I did. Who ARE you? I have adored this book since I read it in the early 70's and I have never found another human being who has read it. I tend to whelm with emotion when I think about Farina. He evokes in me the feeling on the time and that feeling gets enitrely mixed up in the light and the dark of era. I am now an editor and I have come across some manuscripts that dipict coming of age of a character in their 20's, and some are pretty good. But they are written by older authors who are looking back.They don't have the urgency (your decriptor) and energy of someone in their 20's writing and trying to define their time and place in the world. I have given "Been Down So Long..." to a few 20 year olds. None of them knew what to make of it and none of them finished it. Their loss. Watching this video absolutely made my night. Thank you.

[@dubhmor]

Great seeing a review of my favorite book of all time. I found it in a thrift store I was working in as a delivery driver when I was 17 and it captivated me. Fariña was, in my opinion, far beyond his contemporaries and his death had immeasurable effects on our culture by virtue of the works he never got to create throughout the 60's, 70's, and beyond.

[@mariaclararibeiro8045]

Honestly, your excitement with that book hyped me up so much that I bought the ebook before I was halfway through the video

[@Charles-uc6lz]

I’m so glad you reviewed this, it’s my go-to “masterpiece you probably haven’t read” recommendation. Definitely better than food.

[@katebugster]

Folksinger Joan Baez, sister to Fariña’s widow Mimi, wrote this song about Mimi’s grief and second husband called “Sweet Sir Galahad,” and Fariña is mentioned in passing with this line: her crazy man had passed away to the land of poet’s pride. Good line. Good song. Good book.

[@brightlights23]

Have a copy of this in storage in another country. Didn’t realize it was rare. Maybe I’ll try to have a second go at it…

[@boogieboots]

I found this book a few years ago in a Value Village. I had no idea it was hard to find! Some of us are just born lucky.

[@lunaestelle6699]

I’ve never commented before but I’m always here and I just want to say thank you for this review!! You have no idea how important this channel is to me and I bet many others. Thank you for being a channel of value ❤️ and for sharing all this knowledge for free. Thank you!

[@alexhopewell449]

Picked this one up at your suggestion, and while I'm not huge on the more plotty elements of this one (Animal House vibes tend to put me off), god damn is the language a blast to read. This thing's a master class in P.O.V. Worth just about every penny of the $30 I dropped on a used copy. Thanks, Cliff.

[@johan4461]

Loving the enthusiasm.

[@williamneal9076]

MAC'S PROBLEM, Enrique Vila-Matas. Read Farina's book so long ago the only thing I recall is how the Author died. This is a great enthusiastic pitch. Love the dedicated thorough research you bring, and the terrific idea of REPRINT!

[@elliehjemmet]

David Hajdus' "Positively 4th Street" is a deep look into Baez and Dyan and Mimi & Richard Farina's complicated relationships, a lovely book. Richard died on Mimi's 21st birthday which also happened to be the day of his book signing party for "Been Down So Long...". After the signing at the bookstore he brought Mimi to her surprise BD party at her sister Pauline's. There Richard asked for a ride with the guy who owned a red motorcycle and ended up dead. Dylan had his own tragic motorcycle accident 2 months later. I loved Richard and Mimi's music, and still sing one or two of their songs (he was an amazing songwriter as well.) I read his book in the way back, loved it. Loaned it. Bought another copy a few years ago to reread.... I'm almost 80 and it was like reading it for the first time! I still re-watch the wonderful Pete Seeger film clips of his program Rainbow Quest where Richard and Mimi sing and play for him.

[@AB-rh5yq]

I learned about him from his music. His song “Reno Nevada” is one of my favorite songs. His music was really at the forefront … pushing it with Dylan. I happened across this book at 1/2 price books for $1 a couple years ago … I didn’t realize it was hard to find.

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

Never thought I would bump into this book again; great review.

[@20secondcentury22]

i read this book in july and pretty much had the same reaction!

[@WorldFlaneur]

Clifford, so glad you reviewed this book. I read it some 35 years ago and loved it then, but forgot all about it until your review brought it back. So thanks for that. I must hunt down a copy, but don't see it on Amazon here in the UK, or on other online bookshops. It may encourage me to go back to wasting endless hours of happy browsing on secondhand bookshops. Loving the t-shirt. Wonder whether I could get one here in Bligthy. Keep up the great reviews.

[@timkjazz]

Hell yes, Cliff, one of my very favorite books, definitely Better Than Food. Richard Farina was a great friend of Thomas Pynchon. Along the same vein, try Seth Morgan's 'Homeboy'.

[@marinusdejager41]

Your best review since The Peregine

[@maximmeller9157]

Watching this video brought a real smile on my face. You're brilliant for this kind of work, man. As an expression of my earnest appreciation for your work, I could only wish that you continue doing this and keep on sharing your enjoyment for literature to those kindred zealots.

[@luigirizzo6959]

Awesome video, Cliff!

[@maristiller4033]

Your videos are dangerous man cause I always find MORE books to add to my want to read list…

[@frankshrew2852]

Thanks for reviewing this book! It’s a great read that I always felt deserved more attention. Even for a hidden gem it’s quite obscure these days.

[@edwinbeta2806]

15:54 Sounded like Death Grips lyrics for a second hahahah

[@richardfinlayson1524]

I'm very keen to read this book, I love Mimi and Richard Farinas music heaps,I mean I love folk music, but the stuff they recorded just captures that period where folk, rock and acid collided, lots of people did his songs ,Judy Collins and Iain Mathews for example and early Fairport convention, some people rekon he would have given Dylan a run for his money. The whole story is really tragic, his death,I mean. Clearly a genius. Have a listen ,there are some great songs. Now I REALLY have to find a copy.Thanks man!☯️☮️

[@richardfinlayson1524]

You got me subscribed,just cos there is so little about Farina on KZbin, excellent 👍

[@richardfinlayson1524]

He can certainly sing

[@boogieboots]

Is that a copy of The Recognitions over your shoulder? Would love a review of that big bad book.

[@connorlane625]

I found the 1983 Penguin edition of this book, in an Oxfam a few days ago. It was £2.99. I felt like a thief.

[@Stonedead1991]

I saw a documentary about Greenwich Village folk scene about a decade ago and saw a brief perfomance of Farina performing. I googled him, got interested about him and this book and bought the book for about 12 euros. It's definitely a better than food book.

[@walmorcarvalho2512]

An indie Finnish band called Lodger ends one of their songs with "Been down so long/Sings Jimmy/And looks like up to me, yeah" And i was wondering where did that came from, well now I know

[@juicemusicrelax]

Brilliant video 🤗excellent job☺️🤩thanks for share

[@brianmicheltalgo3443]

I most definitely read it back in the day. One of my favs from the 70s. A true classic.

[@brianmicheltalgo3443]

But I'm old :D

[@innocentthing4423]

I went on ebay to check out the book at there are bids going from today's date 😂

[@thothharris]

Like Voices from the Street, Philip K Dick’s sophomore novel, the hero of Farina’s Been Down... is an entirely repugnant character, a malignant psychopath, basically, who rapes, controls, and abuses people with no regard for their own personhoods.

[@evanramirez2212]

Do you have it in ya to review Look Homeward Angel or Of Time and The River by the great Thomas Wolfe? They're both TOMES...but that god damn prose...heartbreakingly perfect.

[@charlessquare862]

Good one. Thanks. Next in my list

[@elainemccarthy2272]

No one suppressed him; he died young -- motorcycle accident the day of or the day after that book was published I believe

[@billshire2681]

O', and B. Dylan was knocking around with this circle too and was upshifted into a more sophisticated writing style thereafter.....

[@jeff8835]

When someone mentioned this to me i thought they were talking about Jim Morrison, just shows how dumb i am!!

[@Mattsdmf]

I was about to mention this song from the LA Woman album!

[@brendanmcnally9145]

I don't know what you're talking about. The book was FAMOUS in its day! I think the last timeit came out was 1983-84, judging from the cover

[@linseyanne5975]

Richard Farina's family would be Joan Baez, his sister-in-law.

[@raleighsmalls4653]

Pynchon, Farina..... and Dylan, actually.

[@snomad2248]

That’s actually Jim Morrison.

[@Christian-si6zf]

Amazon germany got 4 books in stock for 28€ (printed in germany) ! Might get myself one...

[@jokafofinha1867]

5h no Brasil 🇧🇷

[@luigirizzo6959]

Commenting again due to algorhythm!

[@T4wsi5w47w7]

Sounds like another Kerouac crap.

[@ridmahoq2261]

Had no idea Richard Fariña wrote!

[@paulcarpenter999]

I visited Richard's grave today in Monterey City Cemetery, a promising life cut so short.

[@Gabrielcezar94]

It’s available in ebook format for those who read on kindle and whatnot.

[@bentleyparker8495]

From what the review suggests, some of the themes in this book are alike to the student rebellion section of the French Dispatch. Maybe Wes Anderson took this book as inspiration.

[@rafsanjaniii]

Hey Cliff, just wondering, have you ever made a video on Don Quixote? Just started that book a week ago and am curious to know your thoughts on that!

[@nisargjoshi2003]

Dude, I love Don Quixote! Love it! Changed my life, got me out of a terrible state of mind.

[@rafsanjaniii]

@@nisargjoshi2003 Wow, that's quite a statement for it. But how do you read it though? I can't get anything past the fact that its all just about a guy who's pretty adamant on living his knighthood fantasy life out despite the reality he's in, which makes for quite a funny plot but other than that there's nth much? Or am I still too early in the book to tell? I'm still in chapter 21, he kinda just escaped from releasing the prisoners he met lol

[@nisargjoshi2003]

It's a book not of issues but of tissues. There are hidden layers to it. Remember the book burning scene? That's the actual bibliography. Apart from being the first bromance and being the first modern novel, it's also the first book to explore the "study in opposites". It throws light on philosophical questions, art movement of the time and political condition of Spain. You can refer to the Yale course on Don Quixote which you can find on KZbin. 22 -24 amazing lectures. It's encyclopaedic in nature. Btw I am reading it for the 4th time and still finding hidden clues and patterns. :)

[@nisargjoshi2003]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hl6nYZyOgb-KhZI

[@rafsanjaniii]

@@nisargjoshi2003 oh wow i didnt catch that, the burning scene. I was wondering why he took a whole chunk to go through so much, now it all makes sense lol. And thank you for taking the time to reply! I just saw the vid, and the guy spends more than 10 mins talking about how to pronounce the name lolol. Looks like ive got a long way to go…

[@Austria88586]

You might also enjoy The Frisco Kid by Jerry Kamstra from that era when the beat generation transitioned to hippies.

[@emanueleboscofilms]

Another hidden gem revelead. Thanks Cliff!

[@chrisoleson9570]

I've been reading this book for 45 years.

[@RussDodson42]

Better than food... this book changed my life... and there's more. He was married to Margarita Mimi Baez Fariña (the sister of Joan Baez) and they performed some great folk music....

[@TheSalMaris]

Compares best with Pynchon’s V, but Since you liked this you’ll love Leonard Cohen’s Beautiful Losers

[@rjd53]

After having watched this video I didn't hesitate and ordered it. Yesterday received my copy of the German translation, published 2018 (!) the first time, a beautiful cloth-hardbound new copy for 14 euros = half price.

[@rileskiley3341]

I just found this, luckily, in one of those take a book, leave a book things. There is one by Laurelhurst Park that never fails. always find special things in there. Didn’t realize this was a rare find. Excited to read!

[@samuelworthwhit]

You should release these as podcasts too!

[@Crowborn]

God willing this book comes back to print thanks to this review, Cliff! And if it doesn't, well... You may need to send it to LibGen eh? Better pirate a book than let it disappear

[@Austria88586]

Richard and his wife Mimi (Joan Baez's sister) put out some incredible music with Richard playing the dulcimer like no one else.

[@duncan_xyz]

I was lucky enough to find the Dell mass market of this book in a local book store. Still need to read it.

[@douglascaraballo-mahairas591]

young giblets. This was your best review. Felt like you let loose and made me want to read this bad boy!! Young giblets!

[@Craw1011]

Amazing review as always! I know this might be a stretch but there are a shit ton of amazing books being published right now and I'd love for you to review one (Matrix by Lauren Groff, Crossroads by Franzen, Morning Star by Knausguard, Cloud Cuckoo Land by Doer, Bewilderment by Powers, Klara and the Sun by Ishiguro, etc)

[@charlesandrews2360]

I found this book at a library sale about 40 years ago. I've never known anyone who has ever heard of him or the book. I think I still have it in storage. I love that book

[@lawsonj39]

Read about Been Down So Long in Positively Fourth Street, another excellent book about Dylan, Farina, and Joan and Mimi Baez. Great intro to the folk scene in the 50s and 60s.

[@uniquechannelnames]

I don't get how this could be an "undiscovered cult classic gem of the century" when Gravity's Rainbow, one of the heavyweights of greatest books of all time... a book that everyone fans through and has had a 70% chance to run across the dedication to his friend/author John Fãrina. I do agree that he is not very well known, really at all, even in some serious literature circles, and he's apparently some of the best writing ever. Which kind of makes it better when you do read it because you feel like "this should be famous as fuck but is absolutely unknown at all edge to it." Fame changes a book, fame alters your perception of it. So I'm excited to read a book that has the writing of a great novel, the one avenue to get fame (Pynchon's dedication) kinda fizzled out, and only the special who think who the fuck carries the weight to Pynchon's like that he's the one and only dedication on there and are able to find a copy of his 1 printed book. I can't imagine the ecstasy of such a find.

[@nicholaswilson1015]

I mean, Gravity’s Rainbow is kinda a cult book rn. If you ask the average person what Gravity’s rainbow is or even who Thomas Pynchon is they probably won’t know. And Farina was college friends with Pynchon, and he died in a motorcycle crash before GR was published so that’s why he got the shout out.

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

Gravity's Rainbow is still an obscure novel by most means. the average reader who's super into "classics" or stuff has never heard of it. plus you didn't even get Farina's name right

[@ethandull6770]

I fucking need this book

[@pooja21century]

Just a suggestion. Would love if you do Richard Bach!

[@ShannonsChannel]

Great shirt. And I always love your intelligent, insightful, inspiring views.

[@Neat0_o]

God damn, I love seeing someone love what they are talking about. I must read this book. You got me to read on the road now I must find this book!

[@thereofone]

way after the fact but farina is credited with building way more interest in the appalachian dulcimer than the the kazoo.

[@davidnorris166]

Cliff seems super happy in this video

[@bossaddict08]

Most excellent thumbnail for a most excellent book review.

[@ABCshake]

This guy looks like Arthur Shelby from Peaky Blinders

[@dtower1825]

So glad I decided to buy this a few years ago before it went out of print! 😅

[@alanglaseroff9130]

"North Dallas 40" is a similar work - the light at the end of tunnel is likely an oncoming train. Have you read "Positively 4th Street"? It's about Dylan, the Baez sisters, and Richard Farina at the ti9me he wrote he book.

[@bluebamboomusic6882]

Usually drink coffee when I watch one of your videos, but I'm sad to say that this time, I drank tea...

[@ulvessens5902]

Never heard of this book before! I'm guessing The Doors got inspiration from this novel for their "Been Down So Long" song. Very cool.

[@maristiller4033]

I wouldn’t be surprised The Doors took a lot of literary influence. Doors of Perception and Journey to the End of the Night come to mind

[@maristiller4033]

@jw zacher oh damn really? Haha whoops. I just saw the title of the book and was like oh that must be where The Doors song comes from...

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Lee Hazlewood beat The Doors to it by a few years....kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3Le6uVl5iabqM

[@alexmorrison9156]

Of course, as Jim sings "... that it looks like up to me".

[@alexmorrison9156]

@jw zacher And Celine

[@yukonnoka]

You should read “Mirror at the End of the Road” by Mel Lyman. It mentions Farina.

[@yukonnoka]

In fact you can’t really understand Farina without looking into Mel Lyman. Lyman was a true genius as well. In fact Lyman was even the inspiration behind Charles Manson.

[@SidLaw500]

How could anyone not read this after such a ringing edorsement?!

[@bad-girlbex3791]

Fucking sold. Immediately added to my TBR! ('Withnail & I' is my absolute favourite film of all time.) x

[@valpergalit]

Read it earlier this year while on a beach vacation, which you’d think would be the perfect situation, but I wasn’t too enamored with it. I really love your enthusiasm here, though - I’m definitely inspired to give it another chance.

[@feanor7080]

Too bad it’s almost impossible to find this book. I’ve been wanting to read it for years.

[@plagueofangel8694]

Kindle version is on amazing for 9 bucks

[@mattn1936]

Stumbled on your channel while looking for a review of "been down do long it looks like up to me." You remind me of a literary love child of Matthew Modine and Bradley Cooper. Excellent review. Has tantalized my literary taste buds enough to read this book. It had been circulating in my consciousness for years and your review made me very eager to read this book.

[@stevegram9000]

I remember Farinas name for sure. I think I picked this book up in the 90s but didn't read it. I think a junky living in my closet introduced me to him. I used to do drugs in the city Cemetery in Monterey and I must have spilled beer on his grave a few times.

[@erina7727]

Glad I woke up early wew

[@kathleencoleman6125]

Been down so long, looks like up to me has been one of my favorite sayings since the 60s. It says so much about my life

[@billshire2681]

No, but there's thirteen year olds that could write about hot wiring an Impala with a stiletto....

[@wadeoberlin7403]

Bold Marauder!him and Mimi. John Kay of Steppenwolf covered it solo.

[@totallynotalpharius2283]

Wooooo Chattanooga represent

[@aplandis]

Read it in 1867 when I was a senior in high school. Was completely overwhelmed by it. Didn’t understand everything, but it remains one of my favorite books. Sad to have lost track of it. Brilliant songwriter with Mimi Farina-listen to them!

[@timkjazz]

Upon watching this review again I'm struck with how well Cliff comes across to us as though he's the friend we all have that always brings the room up because he's witty, funny, erudite but not in a showy way but in a cool interesting way that draws you in with a laugh and comment that makes you go, "Yeah, yeah." Always well done, this is a top five review. Thanks Cliff.

[@MementoMorituri]

Positively 4th Street: The Lives and Times of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Mimi Baez Fariña, and Richard Fariña by David Hajdu

[@briancollins1296]

Bought a copy of this book a few years back, when it was still in print. Of course I bought it because of the Pynchon connection, and his introduction is still one of the most haunting I've read, an absolute banger, but Fariña was really a lost talent. As both an author and a folk musician. One has to wonder what more he would've done had he lived to see the end of the '60s.

[@kieran_forster_artist]

The Doors do a great version of this song on their 2nd album

[@roygoad2870]

Been Down So Long is on the Doors LA Women album, though I’am not sure the song has any connection with the book 📚

[@shaneeffinger8283]

Norm Macdonald’s Based On A True Story You want funny? You can have it. Not to nudge you mainstream, you fariñaeon fisherman.

[@terrymiller2088]

read book in 71 cost a buck and a quarter remember when Richard was killed while riding his BMW boxer twin motorcycle

[@elisxhafa]

Luv this book! Read it last year