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uvih_'s review
4.0
I don't know what I was expecting from a Bukowski novel, really! Angry and violent, you don't like Chinaski at any point and Bukowski never even gives you a reason to - this takes balls, I expected some sympathising sentimentality but Bukowski never even hinted at it. Chinaski/Bukowski is an asshole (like Brock sang). I did enjoy Bukowski's subtle self-reference at the end when he stated that the letter B needed help. Very smooth, Charles...
I was taken aback by the boys' sexual obsession - I have never been a preteen boy, of course, and was shocked by their crude obsessions. I wonder how accurate it is. It was hard to keep in mind this story was taking place in the 30s, too, because it felt much more modern than that (the dispossessed youth, a much more 70s/80s concept). I ought to read the other Chinaski books now - I mean, we didn't even get to the sex yet, did we?
Disturbing, funny, sad. Also very clearly extremely thought-provoking, so I'm boosting this up a star to four.
Unapologetic. That was quite refreshing.
I was taken aback by the boys' sexual obsession - I have never been a preteen boy, of course, and was shocked by their crude obsessions. I wonder how accurate it is. It was hard to keep in mind this story was taking place in the 30s, too, because it felt much more modern than that (the dispossessed youth, a much more 70s/80s concept). I ought to read the other Chinaski books now - I mean, we didn't even get to the sex yet, did we?
Disturbing, funny, sad. Also very clearly extremely thought-provoking, so I'm boosting this up a star to four.
Unapologetic. That was quite refreshing.
ilovethebees's review against another edition
4.0
Encontrar el libro adecuado en el momento adecuado no es fácil, pero me ha ocurrido con este mi primer Bukowski. Me ha gustado mucho, creo que es de los que he leído con más rapidez y facilidad y ha sido una buena introducción a su mundo y su estilo de escritura. Es de los que no deja indiferente, es provocativo en el buen sentido y eso me gusta. También lo es, dentro de un estilo distinto, Palahniuk y eso es algo que me gusta encontrar en la literatura. Respecto a la historia.. es muy dura, es pesimista, es realista y se enmarca en un contexto también muy crudo. Su protagonista se convierte en uno de mis personajes de ficción favoritos, porque me he identificado mucho y al mismo tiempo he sentido una extraña mezcla de admiración y repulsión. La senda del perdedor es un libro muy adecuado para aquellos que se han sentido o se sienten desubicados en su vida y en el rumbo que deben tomar, también para aquellos que sienten que el mundo y su gente es a menudo un sitio hostil en el que todos deambulamos y tratamos de sobrevivir.
amief22's review against another edition
3.0
i honestly don't know. the story was interesting, but i don't know if i think it was good or completely messed up. a coming of age in the hard knock life of the 20s/30s, with the main character based on charles bukowski early life. it's vulgar, it's shocking, it's gross, and it's very realistic.
haleyblue444's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I have read by Bukowski and since reading this I have ordered many other books by him because I loved this novel so much. This book is edgy and filled with so much clever satire. I would recommend this to anyone wanting something different from the average read.
jimkeel666's review against another edition
5.0
What a savage yet some times mirror like book for me. Henry Chaniski takes a part of me and a part of several of my adolescent friends and roles them into one. Great read. If all other CB books are like that, he has a new fan.
hurkledurkle's review against another edition
4.0
If you aren't a fan of dry humor this may not be the book for you, however I have to say this was a quick and easy read. You do get into the book and become interested in what will become of the main character.
prairiephlox's review against another edition
4.0
No this is the kind of dirty realism that I was expecting out of Chuck Palahniuk when I read (and was horribly disappointed by) Fight Club.
This book is a savage look at the underside of the world that we all live in. There is a scene in which Henry is staring through the windows at his rich schoolmates dancing at prom, he is disgusted by what they have and by what he doesn't have. If anything, this book is the window for us to look back in on Bukowski and be disgusted in return. There is no dignity of human life or emotion here, just gnawing hunger, just humanity devouring itself.
This book is a savage look at the underside of the world that we all live in. There is a scene in which Henry is staring through the windows at his rich schoolmates dancing at prom, he is disgusted by what they have and by what he doesn't have. If anything, this book is the window for us to look back in on Bukowski and be disgusted in return. There is no dignity of human life or emotion here, just gnawing hunger, just humanity devouring itself.
blueberrymilk's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
mollysam's review against another edition
medium-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
3.75
torjus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0