Why do you like Bukowski?

L

LookyLou

I just started reading Bukowski this year (2009). In the last 4 and half months I have read the novels and one post-humous poetry book. This thread caught my eye because I don't yet know why I like it so much or why I haven't been able to stop buying these books as soon as I finish one. "Funny" is being thrown around a lot. I wouldn't exactly call these books funny. Maybe "Entertaining" is a better choice of word, for me at least. The books are better paced than any I've ever read. He never allows things to get boring. There is no peak or crest. I can't find any climax in them. They're very linear. I love that. They are scrubbed free of melo-drama and sentimentality. They're bullshit free. I think thats why I love Bukowski, but I have a lot more to read and my reasons might change. Danke.
 
zenguru

zenguru

A lot of people understand that Buk cuts through the bullshit. Doesn't sugarcoat anything. Not even the sugar.
 
M

mikeypants

because he knew the importance of truth and the honesty of lies. because he was pretty pure for an adult. because i hate cops. because i like pretty things. because i have bad grammar.
 
M

Mather

I like this. I remember one time Buk saying something like "I was the toughest god damned mother fucker there ever was" and you believed it, too. To think a guy like that could actually sit down and write stories on a typewriter, or even worse (better) write poems...and then that FACE looking at you, holy shit...the actual truth of those "ordinary" stories...you can feel it, it can't be faked...the fact is he lived a very brave and hard and unusual life...rare...But sometimes the "writer" came out and he wrote fake stories like when he stuffed the guy down into the race track bleachers, and I don't like those as much...
 
C

Carrie

Just found him

I feel like an ignoramous, I stumbled Charles Bukowski, that was how I came to know him.
His poetry is the best I have read in a long time, and reminded me how much I love it( I am a big fan of Beckett, I love the humour). I am so happy to have found a new writer that says things so perfectly. Cannot wait to read his books and would welcome any suggestions as to which to read first, if it might make a difference.
 
roni

roni

welcome Carrie.

Looking around you'll find a damn lot of suggestions where to start. In fact they are so many, you got the same problem after than before - what to chose first.

my 20 cents -
Since you seem to like his poetry:

- Burning in Water Drowning in Flame
- You get so Alone at Times that it just makes Sense

pretty good look into his early and later poetry.
 
B

Buk's neighbor

Gotta agree w/ the above...
The writing, and "who he was"
All...

Misleading the reader...stumbling, reader doesn't expect beauty, or the profound...
 
zenguru

zenguru

Carrie said:
I feel like an ignoramous, I stumbled Charles Bukowski, that was how I came to know him.
His poetry is the best I have read in a long time, and reminded me how much I love it( I am a big fan of Beckett, I love the humour). I am so happy to have found a new writer that says things so perfectly. Cannot wait to read his books and would welcome any suggestions as to which to read first, if it might make a difference.
Click to expand...

Carrie, my recommendation is to find a bookstore with a bunch of Bukowski books on the shelf. Look through the titles and see which one stands out to you. That's how I picked up Sifting Through the Madness for the Word, the Line, the Way...several years ago. I've been working my way through Buk's books based on how his titles stand out to me. And having a blast.
 
Shiru

Shiru

dragon said:
Why do you like Bukowski? What is "the best" in his writing?
Click to expand...
When reading most other writers I usually have to put effort in reading, I tend to get distracted often and stuff like that. When reading Bukowski it doesn't get boring. He keeps it simple and there's honesty in what he writes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top