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, Sexism, and Pedophilia
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
constantbookover's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Moderate: Cursing, Pedophilia, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
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: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, and Stalking
fatimaarif's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Pedophilia
avocadoontoast's review against another edition
2.0
To me, it feels like a misogynist alcoholic wrote this. It's all about objectifying women and how screwed up everything is.
I get what he means, and very few of his poems are good but, at least for me, it's not worth the read.
I get what he means, and very few of his poems are good but, at least for me, it's not worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
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
angel_kiiss's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
A man writing about his sexual exploits and how much women want to f*ck him. That being said, once you get past Part 1, there are some really stellar pieces of work. Once he starts on dark nights of the soul and stops writing about having sex with women.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
More...