Where does Bukowski stand among 20th century writers?

[Robbie O'Malley]

I think a lot of people here are one eyed and lost in the holy forest of Bukowski. In the standing of 20th century writers, I don't think he's in the top 100. To say he is one of the greatest writers of the 20th century is a nonsense. Anyone's who's well read will say this. I am saying he is a sort of rite of passage writer, an initiation type for those who are curious and serious readers.
I am not a snob, far from it, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the opinions of university professors and literary critics -- this is their stock in trade after all. Bukosski was radically anti establishment and anti-life in many ways. This is ok for awhile when you are young, but as you get older you realize you can't hold this position.

Take a few modern writers: Coetzee, Rushdie, Ballard, Murakami, Banville -- these writers are ten times the writer Bukowski was. I can name a 100 others if you like...I am trying to sensibly redress the balance here, not start a flaming argument.

 

[bospress.net]

So you don't care at all for Bukowski's writing and have spent this much time and energy to say this on a Bukowski forum? I'll try to find a Danielle Steele forum for you so that you can tell them why you hate her writing too.

Again, not even original trolling. At least you should try to be original. Is this Marcos? Ha!

 

[hoochmonkey9]

man, like who you like, forget the canon.

and if people think I'm an idiot for getting as much out of Bukowski as I do Beckett, or Proust as I do Hubert Selby Jr.? so be it, I'll survive. I get different things from these writers, but what I get from each is valuable to me and can't be ranked.

 

[Robbie O'Malley]

No, bospress, I never said I don't care at all for his writing (i wouldn't have joined this website if I didn't and I wouldn't have read most of his writing). If you read my earlier post you will see. Danielle Steele? The fact that u said that just negates any intentions you might of had for serious discussion mate...I never said I hated him btw.

This kind of black and white (if it's not one thing it must be the opposite) style of argument is for children.

(Well said btw hoochmonkey9)

 

[Rayson]

If Bukowski is a sort of rite of passage writer to you though Robbie, an initiation type, why don't you leave him behind? I feel that way about certain writers. Some I've left behind completely and others I still have an affection for so I still have their work and I might revisit them, but I won't invest energy beyond that. I know others like them a great deal, and I certainly wouldn't invest energy trying to convince them to feel otherwise. You should get involved in discussions with groups who love Murakami or whomever (I love Murakami but not enough to join a discussion group). Any argument that could satisfy your point of view surely won't happen here. That's the conclusion I'd draw if I bothered to go on a forum for the appreciation of one of those writers I consider rites of passage.

 

[Robbie O'Malley]

Fair enough, Rayson :wb:
This a really well made website though, it has to be said. Fair play to the mods and that.

 

[Gin Soaked Boy]

Why would anyone read 30-40 books by an author they don't even rank among the top 100 of the 20th century? (if by "read most of his work" you mean that kind of figure)

Seems like a waste of time.

but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the opinions of university professors and literary critics -- this is their stock in trade after all.

Politics is the stock trade of politicians. That doesn't make them any more trustworthy.

 

[Rayson]

This kind of man laughing in his bedroom must make the loneliest sound in the world. So that must be what a troll is. I suppose they can give you a chance to see how you feel about things. He had too many holes in his statements, though. (I imagine a broken man saying, "that was the point!" and then that loneliest laugh.) He also had too much American in that bad Irish lilt. (Again, "that was the point!" and the loneliest of laughs.)

 

[Robbie O'Malley]

Rayson, you give me the shivers..
"a broken man" -- are you high mate?
I was just thinking, if Bukowski grew up outside of dickhead american culture he probably would have been normal and not so depressed. But he grew up in the most superficial place on the planet, poor bastard.

 

[Rayson]

I'll see if I can figure out how to PM you. I'm new and can hazard a pretty safe guess that nobody else will be bored enough for this.

 

[hoochmonkey9]

Robbie, you have gone from a person who was willing to have a literary discussion to a twat.

well done being a twat.

I was willing to think you weren't a troll, but you have proved me wrong. well done on that, also.

goodnight and good luck...