mme_carton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Graphic: Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Sexism
constantbookover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Moderate: Cursing, Pedophilia, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
fernandawolfie's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Cursing, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexism
If somebody tells you that this is their favorite author... run away.fanficaddict's review against another edition
1.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
angel_kiiss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Part 2 is his best work in the collection. However, trigger warnings for Part 3 and 4 when physical abuse against women is mentioned and encouraged and Bukowski explicitly states his sexual desires toward minors multiple times. Even going so far as to "relieve" himself while stalking an identified 15-year-old girl.
This is a collection of raw work in which you can feel the grime and you can feel the pain (whether or not you can identify with that pain is on you). All the poems flow in what feels like a narrative arc with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The last poem feels like the last chapter, the final part being Bukowski's final in life. And although he is definitely a pervert and a creep, there is still some raw intrigue to his work that speaks to the broken pieces of my artist's souls.
Overall, if I wanted to listen to an old straight man talk about all the sex he's had with Texan women, I'd move back to Texas.
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Infidelity, Drug use, Cursing, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Grief, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Physical abuse, Vomit, Racism, Excrement, and Emotional abuse