Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me by Richard Fariña

If you're not already aware of Richard Fariña, I thought it would be best to share the original and audacious author biography from the original publication of this incredible novel.

Richard Fariña was born of a Cuban father and Irish mother, both of whom came to this country during the thirties. He spent time with them in Brooklyn, Cuba, and Northern Ireland. At eighteen, he worked with members of the Irish Republican Army but eventually had to leave the country. Much the same for Cuba, which he visited often when Castro was still in the mountains, and again during the heavy fighting in Santa Clara and while the revolutionary army was entering Havana. After he left Cornell in ’59 until late ’63, he lived in London and Paris. The author writes that he made his living from “music, street singing, script-writing, acting, a little smuggling, anything to hang on. Lost thirty pounds.”

Before his tragic death in a motorcycle accident, Richard Fariña was married to Joan Baez' sister, Mimi. 'This is his best book - a story that tells you how it really is to be young.'

A true cult classic which is essential reading. A very scarce and shamefully out of print novel and an even scarcer edition of it. Beautiful little New English Library Underground Classic copy in fantastic condition.

Paperback

Published by New English Library, Underground Classic

New Edition April 1972