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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
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, Alcoholism, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
pomegranate117's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
My dude talked about 3 things and 3 things only, fucking redheads, beer and taking a shit.
To be fair there were some good poems but I think I felt they were good because after reading about shit-stained pants it was a delight to find something that has nothing to do with the mention of that.
To be fair there were some good poems but I think I felt they were good because after reading about shit-stained pants it was a delight to find something that has nothing to do with the mention of that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual content, and Alcohol
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
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
margymargot's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
chandle5's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexism, and Sexual content
lanienglish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
First time reading bukowski. It was great. He is such an asshole but like in a way where i’m not too mad about hearing him talk about his sex with prostitutes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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