Bukowski's Letters

I've read a fair amount of Bukowski's poetry and prose and I would like to get a taste of his letters. Unfortunately, I am not even aware of what the collections of his letters and correspondences are. I know that some cataloges of Bukowski's work have been posted before, but I don't know where to start letters-wise. Do any of you knowledgeable folks have any suggestions?
 

1fsh2fsh

I think that I think too much
Founding member
those three volumes of letters are a great timeline in reference to his other books. very personal, like peeking at someones diary... not that I ever would ,you know.....
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Right after I made my initial post I remembered I had saved a Buk catalog including the collections mentioned as well as Beerspit Night and Cursing and The Bukowski - Purdy Letters. Now at least I know to start with his general letters before reading his letters to specific people.
 

1fsh2fsh

I think that I think too much
Founding member
I haven't had a chance to read the purdy letters (yet damnit) but the martinelli letters was a tough read for me. probably my least favorite buk book. or maybe I'm just too damn lazy
 

mjp

Founding member
Save Martinelli and Purdy for last, definitely, if you read them at all. They are not great collections.
 

Petey

RIP
Well talking about letters there is also a german editon from an underground publisher called " Ariel " available.

The title is : Los Angeles - Andernach Letters to uncle Heinrich

http://www.ariel-verlag.de/html/bukowski.html

They printed the " family " letters from Bukowski to his uncle Heinrich Fett sen. in Andernach bilingual german/english from 1965-1982.

Buk wrote often in a polite and well behaved way but it is an interesting information in my opion.
 

Ponder

"So fuck Doubleday Doran"
RIP
I've ordered the hardcover version.
I'm really looking forward to read those letters.

Is it somehow possible to translate a few of the letters into English?
 

Petey

RIP
They printed the " family " letters from Bukowski to his uncle Heinrich Fett sen. in Andernach bilingual german/english from 1965-1982.

Is it somehow possible to translate a few of the letters into English?

No need for a translation.
Again: they printed the original letters in english AND the german translation
so it is readable for all your guys outthere!
I know 18,- Euro plus freight is not less but : Support the underground !
 
it's not only the English text: All the letters are printed as a facsimile of the original.
they're no super-great read though. but to complete the collection they're okay.
 

Ponder

"So fuck Doubleday Doran"
RIP
No need for a translation.
Again: they printed the original letters in english AND the german translation
so it is readable for all your guys outthere!
I know 18,- Euro plus freight is not less but : Support the underground !

Ah, I forgot.
2 languages for 18 euro isn't that bad...They didn't ask for shipping costs.

I AM the underground. Support me!
 

Ponder

"So fuck Doubleday Doran"
RIP
it's not only the English text: All the letters are printed as a facsimile of the original.
they're no super-great read though. but to complete the collection they're okay.

I find the letters GREAT. It gives you an at-home-Buk-peek ( the gardening back to nature, Buk), his deep love for Marina and the first signs that he loves Linda.
That they are printed as the original is a beautiful bonus.
19 letters full of the real Charles Bukowski: Sentimental & Emotional.
 

LickTheStar

Sad Flower in the Sand
Yeah I've paged through Vols 1-3 and they're much better than the Martinelli letters... Though I kinda enjoy what I've read in the Bukowski\Purdy letters... Though that may be because I got it cheap...

I'm just glad the books exist. I often shudder to think of the "e-mail collections" we'll be looking at a few years down the line... Ugh...
 
ive actually read that.
i was just saying besides the writing hes just like us, albeit maybe a little better at the writing part.
:)
 
Hi All- what an incredible letter writer Bukowski was! His correspondence is one of the things that got me really hooked into him. The honesty and straightforwardness of his poetry shines all that much brighter when you read his letters. I only have the Virgin trade editions, and I've yet to read the Martinelli(?) book. I do believe that in years to come, as Bukowski becomes more and more recognized for his art, that the letters will be a huge part of his cannon,(no pun intended:D). CRB
 
Beerspit Night and Cursing is a volume of correspondence between himself and one Sheri Martinelli, Ezra Pound's last fling. They share all kinds of philosophy and lit crit, and all the while she's trying to preen him. He broke it off, but I'd say the conversation often was pretty good while it lasted.
 
I find myself going back to his letters quite a bit.

LIVING ON LUCK is probably my favorite.

Not letters, but I also like THE CAPTAIN IS OUT TO LUNCH AND THE SAILORS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE SHIP.
 
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