A review by kittensongs
Hollywood by Charles Bukowski

dark funny reflective fast-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

2.75

i was tempted to give it a lower rating. 
i was kind of annoyed at the "nothingness" of the plot, i didn't feel connected with the characters enough to care about the stakes that the story presented. however, i recognize that my context didn't give it a fair chance - i read it while waiting for the bad musing soaring through my ears to stop so that i could sleep-, i guess i was a little impatient. 
this is one of the funniest books i've ever read, and i'm looking forward to reading more of bukowski, given this was my first time with his work. i honestly thought, since i like movies, i would find the setting of hollywood quite interesting, but i was wrong about that. while some hilarious side characters absolutely made my day, reading about an book/poem author writing a script was really really really boring for me, i gues im not as fascinated with the "creative proccess" as most. on the other hand, i loved bukowski writing style, i loved his self awareness and humour - it felt almost refreshing to read someone confident in who he is enough not to care about how others may interpret his writing. 
unapologetic and human, i guess i just found out a whole new author to explore