I’ve been reading Minds Meet, a collection of short stories by Walter Abish. I don’t know much about Abish, but he was a writer back in the 70’s and perhaps other times as well but it is back in the 70’s that is important here. I’ve learned a few interesting tidbits about the period from his writing. Apparently, in 1970 or thereabouts, communism was cool. Now, this seems odd, seeing as how JFK was also apparently really cool, which creates the equation cool plus really cool equals Cuban Missile Crisis. There’s also a story in which the main character falls in love with Hitler’s daughter. Oh, the morality.

Abish’s stories follow twisted logic and often absurd plotlines. His language is sparse and jagged. Reading his work leaves you with that feeling like when you read Kerouac, that you’ve been there and seen a time with the people who actually lived it.

I don’t know if Minds Meet is still in print anywhere, but the stories are cool and the perspective is cooler (much like communism and JFK), so check your local library or eBay.