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lilithmoon's review against another edition
3.0
I personally didn’t like the poems from the first section of the book, 1955-1963, (Bukowski really loves the use of the word ‘whore’ in his early poems) but I realized that as I continued to read I liked each section that followed more than the last.
At the start, most of the poems seemed like the thoughts of an angry and misogynistic man but he seemed a lot more reflective later in life. His later poems seemed to develop his thoughts more and the poems weren’t as abrupt as they are in the first section.
Bukowski manages to write very interesting and deep poetry from very mundane topics such as 'grass' or 'beerbottle'. I liked the honesty in his poems. Instead of making everything seem beautiful Bukowski tends to have darker poetry.
My favourite section of the book was Burning in Water Drowning in Flame, 1972-1973. All of my favourite poems came from this section of the book. I think this section has the most to offer in terms of life lessons and reflection of his life.
My personal favourite poem from this book was 'Dreamlessly' but 'Hell hath no Fury…' was a very funny second favourite.
At the start, most of the poems seemed like the thoughts of an angry and misogynistic man but he seemed a lot more reflective later in life. His later poems seemed to develop his thoughts more and the poems weren’t as abrupt as they are in the first section.
Bukowski manages to write very interesting and deep poetry from very mundane topics such as 'grass' or 'beerbottle'. I liked the honesty in his poems. Instead of making everything seem beautiful Bukowski tends to have darker poetry.
My favourite section of the book was Burning in Water Drowning in Flame, 1972-1973. All of my favourite poems came from this section of the book. I think this section has the most to offer in terms of life lessons and reflection of his life.
My personal favourite poem from this book was 'Dreamlessly' but 'Hell hath no Fury…' was a very funny second favourite.
rosiebarclay's review against another edition
4.25
okg first bukowski and i’m in love going to read the others i have now hehe
undinebetere's review against another edition
2.0
It was good, but not great. I know that many adore Bukowski, but his love of being a misogynist made me sick to the core and as soon as I saw words “whore” or “boob” the poem was ruined for me.
trippalli's review against another edition
5.0
I've loved this book for decades. It's heart wrenching and harsh also vividly alive and authentic
joestickley's review against another edition
5.0
Bukowski hates the world and it’s all people, I love it.
carmenfullarton's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
If you can stomach the deep rooted misogyny, parts can be absolutely beautiful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
jakekilroy's review against another edition
4.0
I think Bukowski just sees the world in poems. That's why he writes on everything from specific arguments with women to really trivial shit, like getting the mail. It's sometimes hard to be sure of where Bukowski's brilliance ends and his rambling starts. He says enough to cover the entire spectrum of genius and idiot, though this collection leans much more towards the former. You see an almost depressing decline in the man's hope, as this particular book is broken up by Black Sparrow years. In the beginning, he's a wordy, crafty drunk who is simply observing the world. By the end, you can feel the gigantic shrug and sigh the man has become as his weaknesses have given way to fleeting moments of mild excitement and happiness.
In this collection, Bukowski finds the racetracks to be a vacation spot and not yet a home, and his drinking seems to be a vice that's not yet an addiction. However, he wants you to know that he loves the ladies. He wants you to know that they can't resist him and they aren't always attractive. He's a broken spirit with a full-functioning dick, and you can't always tell if he loves being Bukowski more than ever or if he's totally over everything he's been his whole life. The dude's able to notice the smallest things of the world and gives voice to the little things of life that he doesn't necessarily appreciate but certainly notices. You just want him to keep explaining the world to you, as you evaluate his wealth of information tidbit by tidbit.
In this collection, Bukowski finds the racetracks to be a vacation spot and not yet a home, and his drinking seems to be a vice that's not yet an addiction. However, he wants you to know that he loves the ladies. He wants you to know that they can't resist him and they aren't always attractive. He's a broken spirit with a full-functioning dick, and you can't always tell if he loves being Bukowski more than ever or if he's totally over everything he's been his whole life. The dude's able to notice the smallest things of the world and gives voice to the little things of life that he doesn't necessarily appreciate but certainly notices. You just want him to keep explaining the world to you, as you evaluate his wealth of information tidbit by tidbit.