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umuhhhdrew's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
3.5
donnaadouglas's review against another edition
3.0
The central character is like an older, more degenerate Holden Caulfield. This book should be compulsory reading for any kids wanting to drop-out of education. A humorous read, but incredibly depressing when you think about it.
tessa_del's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hhcharlesb's review against another edition
3.0
La visión de Bukowski sobre la otra América, la sombra que no se exhibe, a Chinaski no lo admiten en el ejército y deambula entre trabajos pésimamente pagados y su búsqueda inconstante de ser escritor, me gusto la descripción de los bajos mundos de Los Ángeles y diversas ciudades norteamericanas en ocasiones es muy repetitivo, si se muda, consigue un empleo y pierde ante el alcohol, desgrana bien algunos problemas de la sociedad en el 44.
bonsai_leaf's review against another edition
4.0
You will hold this book in one hand and shake your fist with the other, as Bukowski's stellar writing does not aim to hide his rotund selfishness.
briandice's review against another edition
4.0
"What kind of job you looking for?"
"Stockboy, shipping clerk, janitor."
The denizens of Bukowski's fictional world encompass the marginalized chaff of mid-20thcentury America. Barely a step ahead of abject vagrancy, Bukowski's protagonist and alter-ego Henry Chinaski is the everyman of our species comfortable asking the bare minimum of this world.
When you drank the world was still out there, but for the moment it didn't have you by the throat.
Chinaski's story isn't pretty, but Bukowski isn't concerned about offending a reader's middle-class American sensibilities. If the reader comes to this text with our typical baggage: work issues, money problems, familial strife - Chinaski's search for his next drink and fuck can be jarring. It's a credit to Bukowski's genius that he can make a character and not a caricature.
How in the hell could a man enjoy being awakened at 8:30 a.m. by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force-feed, shit, piss, brush teeth and hair, and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so?