Most Beautiful Woman...

[hugojkd]

I do apolgoze for chuckling, but for reasons that aren't entirely clear to me, the phrase "baby cancer" makes me laugh. But I went through the same fears with my son... Now I'm just worried his head is too big...

LOL, as the father of a 4 year old boy, the uncle of a boy who died of leukemia when he was 2 & 1/2, & a teacher's aide for autistic kids for 5 years, I found all of that pretty damn funny.

The story is brilliantly written, but it's still tough to read. The quote roni posted says it all:

"Martin's eyes looked into her eyes and it was a communication between two hells - one her's, the other his."

Great discussion, wish I had something useful to add. Glad I found this place.

Hugo

 

[zenguru]

Wow, great discussion, people! Thanks for joining in.

 

[CRBSMILE]

I was pricing up some books at work a few days ago and came upon this: 'Love is the Only Story, tales of romance.' Edited by Ben Schrank; The Lions Press 2003. Third story in is 'The Most Beautiful Woman in Town', by Charles Bukowski. I was pleasently surprised to find it in there.CRB:)

 

[zenguru]

Nothing like finding a treasure where you never expect, CRB!;)

 

[rjwink666]

Halfway through this, only Pulp now on my too read list, but I like leaving things incomplete so I will probably never read Pulp. Anyway back on topic, I've found this collection to be a far better summary as Buk the man, rather then Buk the myth. It seems to reveal a lot more autobiographical stuff, especially some interesting insights into his worldviews. I also dig how Buk makes sex so unsexy, he's almost English in his attitude to shagging, the old in/out jobs a good un'.

 

[Lttr Prssd]

If I'm not mistaken (and this has been stated already), many of the stories in the City Lights collections were written for the free papers, and titty magazines, and probably were done more to turn a dime than create something "literary." Most of those stories were reworked for later poems, stories or novels, almost like the originals served as first drafts. I have always felt the City Lights collections were Buk's weakest, and it would appear John Martin thought so as well since he passed on publishing them. South of No North is a really great story collection, as is Hot Water Music.

 

[zenguru]

I have not read Hot Water Music, but I have quite a few Buk books to go before I can make room for it. I've been getting sidetracked by Ray Bradbury and others. I'll make my way back to Buk eventually.