I just got a copy of the September 14th issue of Pasadena Weekly which featured an article about the Huntington Library acquisition and an interview with Linda. In it, she states, "The Charles Bukowski Foundation will continue after I leave this world, and our home here in San Pedro is going to be a museum." Does anyone have any further information on this? Is this even a good idea? Would Buk approve or puke?
The Charles Bukowski Museum?
- Thread starter nymark
- Start date
bospress.net
www.bospress.net
Hi,
Linda is very concerned that Hank's work lives on. This is true that she is planning on making the house into a museum.
This has been in the works for some time.
Best,
Bill
Linda is very concerned that Hank's work lives on. This is true that she is planning on making the house into a museum.
This has been in the works for some time.
Best,
Bill
that's interesting...
be a TOUGH sell to the guy living next door in 'quiet' San Pedro. Not sure if you own the house next to the Bukowski's you want line-ups and obnoxious goofs chanting; TO ALL MY FRIENDS!!!
be a TOUGH sell to the guy living next door in 'quiet' San Pedro. Not sure if you own the house next to the Bukowski's you want line-ups and obnoxious goofs chanting; TO ALL MY FRIENDS!!!
mjp
Founding member
That's interesting, because a few months ago I told Linda that I had read mention of a "Bukowski Museum" in some Dullaghan interview, and she looked at me like I was out of my mind and muttered, "no, no..." I didn't press the issue, so I don't know if she was "no no"ing the museum itself, or a Dullaghan connection, or maybe she just wanted me to shut up in general. ;)
But no, that area of San Pedro is not exactly a prime spot for a tourist attraction. I'm sure it would be a "by appointment only" sort of thing, but I can't imagine that publicizing the address is going to please the neighbors.
But no, that area of San Pedro is not exactly a prime spot for a tourist attraction. I'm sure it would be a "by appointment only" sort of thing, but I can't imagine that publicizing the address is going to please the neighbors.
chronic
old and in the way
I just stumbled across this article online completely by accident (I wasn't even looking for anything remotely related to Bukowski at the time). It's two related articles that you can read here:
http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/article.php?id=3847&IssueNum=37
and here:
http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/article.php?id=3848&IssueNum=37
The first article is pretty interesting with comments from John Martin and Sue Hodson who is curator of literary manuscripts for the Huntington.
http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/article.php?id=3847&IssueNum=37
and here:
http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/article.php?id=3848&IssueNum=37
The first article is pretty interesting with comments from John Martin and Sue Hodson who is curator of literary manuscripts for the Huntington.
G
grayxray
Museum? Why? His works live on and that is a museum enough. Also what would you put in the museum, old shirts? Empty beer bottles? Old used cigs? Pictures of the chicks he did? Or signs that point to bed he did them on. Maybe some of his paintings if you can find them. If you want to get close to buk go to his grave and just sit and think. Very relaxing! If you want to honor buk get others to read his works and get those people to pass it on, and on and on. This is how to best remember buk.What if you gave a museum and nobody came? Better yet, how about a bumper sticker - "I would rather be reading Buk". Maybe this website is the best tribute. And this is just my opinion and I do not mean to offend anybody.
ClassIntellectual
Founding member
You're completely right. None of us can truly claim to know what B would think, but I'm pretty sure he would detest the idea of a museum in his honor. Then again, he did become slightly more accustomed to dealing with fame in his later life, as long as he didn't have to directly deal with people.
Anywho, I think a B museum should be no more than a library of his collected works, along with a reading room and a fully-stocked fridge...
I agree. No matter the rough exterior he loved the praise.
Bullshit.
no bullshit.
Rekrab
Usually wrong.
The Martin quote is very interesting, where he says he never saw Bukowski drunk, never saw him raise his voice or get angry. I find that amazing, especially the drunk part. Bukowski must have been on his best behavior for John. Funny, that there was a side of Hank -- a well known side -- that Martin never saw. I've heard about the kind and gentle side from a few people, but I'm guessing more have seen him drunk and pissed off than kind and gentle.
the only good poet
One retreat after another without peace.
hi david -
didn't martin rarely see bukowski - sober or drunk?
nymark said:
didn't martin rarely see bukowski - sober or drunk?
the only good poet
One retreat after another without peace.
well, thanks, chaps!
Rekrab
Usually wrong.
Right. I gather that the relationship was all business as far as Bukowski was concerned. John Martin was his editor and publisher, not his buddy. So you don't hear the drinking stories from Martin. It must have been strange for Martin, knowing that there was that other side of Bukowski -- the raging drunk -- and never seeing it firsthand. Not witnessing it, he may have assumed it was an exaggeration, that Buk wasn't that much of a mad man, not to the degree that was claimed. It's a shame that Martin has vowed never to write about Bukowski. I think that would be a fascinating book, even if it only addressed one side of Bukowski's personality -- a side that was seldom seen by his readers and fans.
can't agree more...
i've read enough and find re-reading about boozing over and over again tiresome. Buk was obviously also a smart businessman. He kept his money, signed strong foreign deals for translations. The inner dealings he had with John would be a far more interesting story. The myth/legend of his WILD side are ESTABLISHED, be nice to see other sides of his self and personality.
Also, what about a LINDA bio?? Where does she stand on this? That's another BIO you'd want to read... Also how about a NEELI bio... oh wait we had that and it STUNK!
i've read enough and find re-reading about boozing over and over again tiresome. Buk was obviously also a smart businessman. He kept his money, signed strong foreign deals for translations. The inner dealings he had with John would be a far more interesting story. The myth/legend of his WILD side are ESTABLISHED, be nice to see other sides of his self and personality.
Also, what about a LINDA bio?? Where does she stand on this? That's another BIO you'd want to read... Also how about a NEELI bio... oh wait we had that and it STUNK!
Pardon me, but do you mean Linda King or the widow Bukowski? We DEFINITELY need to hear from King, but Linda B. has had her say.
I believe that Linda B. would LOVE more attention lavished on her. We all owe her a deep debt of thanks for extending Bukowski's life. Surely, he would have succumbed much earlier if she had not cleaned him up a bit (better booze and a better diet). But methinks she is taking a page from the Tess Gallagher book of literary widows. Does anyone think it's odd that although Dulligan interviewed Linda King, NONE of her material found its way into either the theatrical version or DVD release? Eh? I wonder who might have OBJECTED to Linda King's appearance who had the AUTHORITY to exclude her testimony? I'll bet the most revealing footage is on the cutting room floor. Do you think that Bukowski sat around his living room discussing a goddamn MUSEUM to HIMSELF?! I wonder where that crazy idea came from...?
I believe that Linda B. would LOVE more attention lavished on her. We all owe her a deep debt of thanks for extending Bukowski's life. Surely, he would have succumbed much earlier if she had not cleaned him up a bit (better booze and a better diet). But methinks she is taking a page from the Tess Gallagher book of literary widows. Does anyone think it's odd that although Dulligan interviewed Linda King, NONE of her material found its way into either the theatrical version or DVD release? Eh? I wonder who might have OBJECTED to Linda King's appearance who had the AUTHORITY to exclude her testimony? I'll bet the most revealing footage is on the cutting room floor. Do you think that Bukowski sat around his living room discussing a goddamn MUSEUM to HIMSELF?! I wonder where that crazy idea came from...?
Rekrab
Usually wrong.
mymark: good question, good points. I meant Linda B. Linda King would have plenty to say. She has not been heard from enough, in my opinion. Maybe I'm all wet, but I don't sense Linda Bukowski is itching for attention. She gets plenty of it just for being the widow and overseeing the estate. The money rolls in, she protects the rights and the reputation. The Huntington gift has brought her some very high class notice. She doesn't seem to be looking for more. I bet she did have a lot of say over what went into BORN INTO THIS and what didn't. I need to watch that film again. Santa better have it in his bag tonight.
mjp
Founding member
I think it came from Dullaghan, actually.
Giving all of Bukowski's shit to the Huntington seems to be at cross purposes with a museum in San Pedro, though, so I don't know if this is going to really happen.
Bukfan
"The law is wrong; I am right"
YOU BET! - Especially since she played a much bigger role in Buk's life than some of the women portrayed in BIT...
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Ah c'mon let Sam go!