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A review by littlebitofallthat
What Matters Most is How Well You Walk Through the Fire by Charles Bukowski
3.0
The juxtaposition of Bukowski's crudity and poetry's introspection is stark and compelling. His aggression and vulgarity do veer into uncomfortable and, at times, alarming territory on occasion, though this is hardly a critique as it is the strongest quality of his writing. Highlighting the tragedy of the mundane and appalling alike, we see and experience not only the visceral devastation of the human condition's pitfalls but also the hollow desolation undercutting it all.
With that being said, much of the work isn't to my own taste, though I can appreciate it for what it is, as well as walk away with a few favorites from this vast 400-page collection.
favorites:
"hunger", pgs. 58-60
"the crunch (2)", pgs. 312-314
honorable mentions/dogeared for later contemplation:
"some notes on Bach and Haydn", pgs. 73-75
"wind the clock", pg. 87
"lifedance", pg. 90
"everywhere, everywhere", pg. 94
"the angel who pushed his wheelchair", pgs. 108-110
"Christmas poem to a man in jail", pgs. 115-118
"hard times on Carlton Way", pgs. 184-185
"beast", pgs. 234-235
With that being said, much of the work isn't to my own taste, though I can appreciate it for what it is, as well as walk away with a few favorites from this vast 400-page collection.
favorites:
"hunger", pgs. 58-60
"the crunch (2)", pgs. 312-314
honorable mentions/dogeared for later contemplation:
"some notes on Bach and Haydn", pgs. 73-75
"wind the clock", pg. 87
"lifedance", pg. 90
"everywhere, everywhere", pg. 94
"the angel who pushed his wheelchair", pgs. 108-110
"Christmas poem to a man in jail", pgs. 115-118
"hard times on Carlton Way", pgs. 184-185
"beast", pgs. 234-235