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gorgnzla's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
I would give this zero stars, except it was so impactful that it made me never want to read anything by Bukowski ever again. So I guess that’s something?
Highly do not recommend. His writing felt lazy and uninspired, not to mention the blatant pedophilia and misogyny. This book was essentially him griping about “his wh*res,” shitting, and people obsessing over him. Not sure why, when he mentions every other segment that his underwear has shit stains. Not much to adore there. It feels like a case of narcissism to me, but that’s just my opinion.
It’s got to be some dedication that he wrote over a hundred pages of (subpar, mind you) poems that essentially boil down to “I have a red hair fetish.” I finished the book out of pure spite. And, out of even more spite, I don’t think I’ll ever pick up another one of his books again.
Highly do not recommend. His writing felt lazy and uninspired, not to mention the blatant pedophilia and misogyny. This book was essentially him griping about “his wh*res,” shitting, and people obsessing over him. Not sure why, when he mentions every other segment that his underwear has shit stains. Not much to adore there. It feels like a case of narcissism to me, but that’s just my opinion.
It’s got to be some dedication that he wrote over a hundred pages of (subpar, mind you) poems that essentially boil down to “I have a red hair fetish.” I finished the book out of pure spite. And, out of even more spite, I don’t think I’ll ever pick up another one of his books again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content and Excrement
inlaraland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
Oh, man...this was...something.
This is my first Bukowski read, and I will admit that I had a very negative reaction to his work (similarly to my experience with Nabokov when I first read Lolita). I've had a few people let me know their own thoughts, but these selection of poems were not for me at all.
Beyond the writing style, I honestly could not see past the blatant misogynistic, pedophilic and vulgar messages. I think a part of me was trying to find purpose to the words, as I like to connect with poetry, and I really just couldn't.
Somebody said that Bukowski is meant to show the raw, ugly side of life - no filters, no pretty words to veil the bluntnes, but...I still can't bring myself to appreciate this.
I think what we consume has an impact on our reading experiences, and jumping into this work with no knowledge of what to expect but it definitely caught me off guard.
I may consider reading one of his novels in the future to see if my opinion my change - but this not my favorite.
This is my first Bukowski read, and I will admit that I had a very negative reaction to his work (similarly to my experience with Nabokov when I first read Lolita). I've had a few people let me know their own thoughts, but these selection of poems were not for me at all.
Beyond the writing style, I honestly could not see past the blatant misogynistic, pedophilic and vulgar messages. I think a part of me was trying to find purpose to the words, as I like to connect with poetry, and I really just couldn't.
Somebody said that Bukowski is meant to show the raw, ugly side of life - no filters, no pretty words to veil the bluntnes, but...I still can't bring myself to appreciate this.
I think what we consume has an impact on our reading experiences, and jumping into this work with no knowledge of what to expect but it definitely caught me off guard.
I may consider reading one of his novels in the future to see if my opinion my change - but this not my favorite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Pedophilia
maryxdarko's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Charles Bukowski... what a vile, vile man but man, could he write (and he was funny). But let’s make it clear, I wouldn’t be reading his works if he was alive, he was a raging misogynist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual content
eepi's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Stalking
fatimaarif's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Moderate: Pedophilia
thecolourblue's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Yeah, Bukowski’s ‘I’m a pathetic drunk but tortured genius poet’ thing sure gets old fast. Basically just a book of verse-form whinging and bachelor-pad male fantasy liberally sprinkled with misogyny.
The sad part is that where Bukowski’s poetry is at its best is at the times (e.g. A Poem for Old Snaggle-tooth) where he is able to display some measure of self-awareness, regret, and portray women as actual full people rather than either sexual fantasies or tormentors. Unfortunately he doesn’t seem able to manage this for more than a handful of the poems in this book.
The sad part is that where Bukowski’s poetry is at its best is at the times (e.g. A Poem for Old Snaggle-tooth) where he is able to display some measure of self-awareness, regret, and portray women as actual full people rather than either sexual fantasies or tormentors. Unfortunately he doesn’t seem able to manage this for more than a handful of the poems in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny
jorgereads's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
fernandawolfie's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
1.5
I mean it's a bunch of poems that a white man wrote... what else can you expect ?
Content Warnings
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
tense
medium-paced
1.25
I felt as though most of the poetry had misogynistic undertones and were overly and aggressively sexual. It gave off women written by men vibes (because it was). I can appreciate some of the poetry. A small amount of it was actually enjoyable but an unnecessary amount was objectifying and overly erotic. Overall: disgusting, poor writing, graphic, and offensive in its depictions of women and sex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, and Alcohol
paulajameel's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
don't really like reading about a straight white man in his 50s watching 13 year olds sitting in bus stop benches! this aint it sir 👁👄👁
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual content