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isaiahpinto's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is spectacular, the best poetry collection I’ve ever read. There were so many unique poems throughout. Charles Bukowski writes as if he’s speaking, which almost feels like you’re reading commentary. Thanks to his writing style it definitely helped entrench me into the scenes he was building.
One of the best perspectives Bukowski reveals is from later in life. At the time of publication, Bukowski was already 70 years old, so there’s a lot of thought provoking poems about old age and reflecting on the past. Consequently, it forced me to adopt this mood of reflection and analyzation of my younger self. A sensation that I’ve never garnered from reading a book before.
My only setback for this collection is the lack of sequencing. There’s four chapters in this book, but it doesn’t appear to bring a new voice or different perspective. I would’ve liked to have some sort of separation to differ some poems from others, just to help with readability, and overall cohesiveness.
Great read, I loved it. In the future, I’ll be reading more Bukowski.
One of the best perspectives Bukowski reveals is from later in life. At the time of publication, Bukowski was already 70 years old, so there’s a lot of thought provoking poems about old age and reflecting on the past. Consequently, it forced me to adopt this mood of reflection and analyzation of my younger self. A sensation that I’ve never garnered from reading a book before.
My only setback for this collection is the lack of sequencing. There’s four chapters in this book, but it doesn’t appear to bring a new voice or different perspective. I would’ve liked to have some sort of separation to differ some poems from others, just to help with readability, and overall cohesiveness.
Great read, I loved it. In the future, I’ll be reading more Bukowski.
julesnymoo's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings for this one. It was a long collection of poems I mostly enjoyed. There were some parts that resonated with me, and some other parts that made me say OH YES THIS IS IT. But there were also some parts that were disturbing and degrading. Some parts were confusing. There's a lot in so many poems that are about the daily life of Charles Bukowski, basically. He captures some brilliant stuff in it, and some others that are god-awful language which I can infer Charles as someone who might objectify women, honestly. Wouldn't be surprised. What do we do if there's a genius that is not exactly a nice person? Pull down their ratings. Bam.
I have not realized Charles was one of the all-time-known poets at all. I just happened to like the cover when I saw it one day at the bookstore. I looked him up and oh, he's listed next to Walt Whitman, and Sylvia Plath, and on. Apparently, he wrote so much in his lifetime. I do want to read some more but I am uneasy about it because there are some constant themes I didn't enjoy. For example, his poems on prostitutes and how he thought of them, the constant use of the word "bitch" among other things. Some others I loved. Unsure what to do about that.
I have not realized Charles was one of the all-time-known poets at all. I just happened to like the cover when I saw it one day at the bookstore. I looked him up and oh, he's listed next to Walt Whitman, and Sylvia Plath, and on. Apparently, he wrote so much in his lifetime. I do want to read some more but I am uneasy about it because there are some constant themes I didn't enjoy. For example, his poems on prostitutes and how he thought of them, the constant use of the word "bitch" among other things. Some others I loved. Unsure what to do about that.
katg88's review
5.0
I loved this collection of poems so much I had to go buy the book for myself.
"but when the world is closing in very
fast
a bottle of wine seems a very
reasonable friend."
- The Writer
"whatever the problem is, it's there, and worse, it
shouldn't be
for I have been a lucky man, I shouldn't even
be here
after all I have done to myself
and after all they have done
to me
I ought to be kneeling to the gods and giving
thanks.
instead, I deride their kindness by being
impatient
with the word."
- Zero
"but when the world is closing in very
fast
a bottle of wine seems a very
reasonable friend."
- The Writer
"whatever the problem is, it's there, and worse, it
shouldn't be
for I have been a lucky man, I shouldn't even
be here
after all I have done to myself
and after all they have done
to me
I ought to be kneeling to the gods and giving
thanks.
instead, I deride their kindness by being
impatient
with the word."
- Zero
jonfaith's review
4.0
Le Tigre had a great song titled Mediocrity Rules. A poet loaned me this book. I don't think he liked Bikini Kill. Sometimes I think about Bono and Sean Penn calling Bukowski and I die a little inside. For a number of reasons.
dhasenkampf's review
4.25
Oh, my. I loved this poetry collection. I never read poetry. Not since I was forced to in high school and absolutely hated it. But I randomly saw Bukowski mentioned in a novel and just felt the draw. I'm so happy I tried his work. Not every poem was a homerun. Some were only okay. Some were really great. Some felt like they brushed my soul. I can't wait to seek out more of Bukowski's work.
jade_flynn's review
4.0
"I tell you
such fine music
waits in
the shadow
of hell"
Some of my favourites:
waiting
be kind
two toughs
let me tell you
bluebird
the replacements
in the bottom
Dinosauria, we
such fine music
waits in
the shadow
of hell"
Some of my favourites:
waiting
be kind
two toughs
let me tell you
bluebird
the replacements
in the bottom
Dinosauria, we
johndsouza's review
3.0
just not my style of poetry, i suppose, but my top dozen (with page numbers on the printed book)
are:
120: bluebird
42: be kind
231: the aliens
163: victory
58: air and light and time and space
302: oh i was a ladies' man
59: the eagle of the heart
136: now
138: confession
207: companion
345: war
353: young in new orleans
are:
120: bluebird
42: be kind
231: the aliens
163: victory
58: air and light and time and space
302: oh i was a ladies' man
59: the eagle of the heart
136: now
138: confession
207: companion
345: war
353: young in new orleans