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raymond_murphy's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first time reading Bukowski. Interesting dude. As much as it was an insight into how movies got made in the 70s (which is of interest to me), reading about severe alcoholism was not that exciting.
jamesbickers97's review against another edition
3.0
Ham on Rye is always a book I remember reading fondly in my teenage years and I still regard it as one of my favourite books of all time. But strangely I have never read anything beyond that when it comes to Bukowsi's catalogue.
Hollywood was interesting, I wasn't as inthralled and hooked as I was with Ham on Rye. I liked the points it was trying to make, however I feel as if the book is more profound when you have more of the real life backstory which I sadly did not know.
Overall, not a terrible read but not one of my favourites either
Hollywood was interesting, I wasn't as inthralled and hooked as I was with Ham on Rye. I liked the points it was trying to make, however I feel as if the book is more profound when you have more of the real life backstory which I sadly did not know.
Overall, not a terrible read but not one of my favourites either
david44's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lizloulie's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
peebee's review against another edition
3.0
This was given to me with caveats about it's quality, and maybe that colored my perceptions, but it seems it's way easier to sympathize with Chinaski's essential bastardness when you read about his miserable shitty childhood, and frustrated, or drunken, nihilistic youth, than when he's relatively well off, respected, and with a woman who he really doesn't seem like he deserves.
Even Bukowski seems to prefer it, as he waxes nostalgic for his time as a stew bum at the shithole bar where they film and he spends a little time with the patrons.
Even Bukowski seems to prefer it, as he waxes nostalgic for his time as a stew bum at the shithole bar where they film and he spends a little time with the patrons.
bradland's review against another edition
4.0
Feeling somewhat of an epilogue to his previous novels, Bukowski writes about his experiences in making the movie Barfly, for which he wrote the screenplay. He goes through all the experiences he had at the time, not necessarily relating to the film, like his trips to the horse track, which provides an interesting aside to what his life is like after becoming a success with his writing. That's what I mean about this work being an epilogue, there is no major struggle for 'Henry Chinaski' in this like his other adventures. This is all happening while he's living a comfortable life in LA, almost a 'hey, I made it!' to his readers.
Overall, this novel provides an interesting look into the behind the scenes craziness that occurs in Hollywood when trying to make a film. Bukowski uses fake names for most of his characters here to allow him to use artistic license where necessary and not to get sued by real life counterparts. I think that's part of the reason why it took so long to be published in the UK as their libelous laws are more strict.
This is not Bukowski's finest work but it provides a decent tail end to the Chinaski character as he becomes nostalgic of old times while typing them away or visiting film locations. Its not the best book to find out how crazy Hollywood can be. I found Hollywood Animal by Joe Eszterhas to be a better example, where he was right in the middle of many successful films and uses real names. Before reading Hollywood its best to watch Barfly to get better context of what's going on and enhance your enjoyment of the book.
Overall, this novel provides an interesting look into the behind the scenes craziness that occurs in Hollywood when trying to make a film. Bukowski uses fake names for most of his characters here to allow him to use artistic license where necessary and not to get sued by real life counterparts. I think that's part of the reason why it took so long to be published in the UK as their libelous laws are more strict.
This is not Bukowski's finest work but it provides a decent tail end to the Chinaski character as he becomes nostalgic of old times while typing them away or visiting film locations. Its not the best book to find out how crazy Hollywood can be. I found Hollywood Animal by Joe Eszterhas to be a better example, where he was right in the middle of many successful films and uses real names. Before reading Hollywood its best to watch Barfly to get better context of what's going on and enhance your enjoyment of the book.
angus_mckeogh's review
5.0
I haven't been a huge fan of some of Bukowski's other work. But I found the piece about writing a screenplay for Hollywood and the moronic undertones of making a movie absolutely hilarious. I imagine this is the real side of the industry that goes unseen.