Reviews
what the hell did i just read
Can't sit down and give it a five because there are admittedly some poems which I find weak, most of this collection is just for leisure and comedy; little poems to make you laugh. Some of the poems here are sort of for male fantasy. Others are pretty crude. The cuts that are meaningful here though, are beautiful. I cannot simply sit down and criticize Bukowski for his character, poems he has up like 'Confession' prove that there is a veil to Bukowski that only an avid reader can break through. This collection delves into purpose, is about the burning blight of life; I see it personally as his most Dylan Thomas. Life is as ugly as it is beautiful, it's all part of the great painting. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful candid poems from Bukowski, I just can't give it a five because it's not all there for the collection.
This was a typical Bukowski poetry book, full of angst and cynical remarks towards women and overall hatred towards humanity. I personally prefer walk through hell and people look like flowers over this. Still good, still Bukowski.
sırf ingilizcemi geliştirmek için okudum yanlış anlaşılma olmasın
everytjme i read this i fucking sob
The best poetry book I've ever read. Say no more.
I bought this book because it is one of Harry Styles favorites and I thought I would like it because if that. I understand the appeal of the way Bukowski writes his poetry but honestly most of it is boring. He could be writing a poem about a toaster and still find a way to degrade women. This book is the epitome of white man poetry. In that aspect I guess he is truly a master but that is not the kind of poetry I want to read.
my first and probably last bukowski 🤷♀️
3.5 (it is a Bukowski, what else can I say)
3.75? Not my favourite but it still had some truly amazing poems
The fact that The Buk is one of my favorite poets is something that I don't think I should be too proud of. His detractors say he's pretentious, cynical to the point of trying too hard, and misanthropic, and I can't say I wholly disagree with them but I've always loved his work. He can write the dirtiest poetry and at the same time, can come up with the most lovely turns of phrases I have ever encountered. I was happy that this poetry collection includes two of my favorite poems- the second version of The Crunch and Alone With Everybody. This isn't the most complete collection of his works and certaintly doesn't have all of my favorite poems, but it's a great collection, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in reading Charles Bukowski. Read more like this review on my blog, http://www.bookwormbasics.blogspot.com
Highlights
“I grip both of her hands,
and my chest
belly
*****
****
tangle into her
and through us
in the dark
pass rays
back and forth
back and forth
until I fall away
and we sleep.
she's wild
but kind
my 6 foot goddess
makes me laugh
the laughter of the mutilated
who still need
love,
and her blessed eyes
run deep into her head
like mountain springs
far in
and
cool and good.
she has saved me
from everything that is
not here.”
so raw. as ugly as it is beautiful. words born from a complete love. the poems that objectify women like “the night i f*cked my alarm clock” and the few poems about little girls threw me off. other than that, poems like “pacific telephone”, “how to be a good writer”, “six foot goddess”, “blue cheese and chili peppers”, have awesome crisp lines. bukowski is a real genius; just remember this person is just as ugly as he is beautiful. his life and his life work are analogous to this phrase: “There is no tree that reaches heaven without its roots in hell”.