Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions, and General Tales of Ordinary Madness by Charles Bukowski

3.63 AVERAGE

rhona123's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 50%
I've never hated a book more. The stories were vile and poorly written, there was no depth to any character/plot/situation they were just all cheap shots for shock value. Rape fantasies and misogynistic 

Also never known an author to self insert more. Egotistical misogynistic prick

words_shewrote's review against another edition

2.0
Even though Bukowski is known for being one of the greatest writers of our Era, this was my first experience with him and I did not like it at all. I think most of the tales (this is a book of tales) are misogenous, sexist and with no meaning at all. You can see the influence of Hemingway with the short phrases and of Dostoievski, in the pessimism. I recognize how well the tales are written, but the lack os respect for women, the massive use of cursing words (all the cursing you can imagine), make me not like these tales at all. Dont be fooled: I knew what I was getting in to: Bukowski is well known for being a representative of the outcasts. But I thought that would bring some meaning to the tales: but it didn't.
Maybe I will read another non-tale book from the author in the future, but right now - and at least for me - this is not my thing.
hazamelis's profile picture

hazamelis's review against another edition

Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

nefreth's review against another edition

2.0
Dovrebbe essere un’opera dissacrante e rivoluzionaria , uno schiaffo ai benpensanti . Onestamente mi è sembrato solo un lunghissimo vaneggiamento onanistico di un maniaco misogino con ogni tanto uno sfondo di critica politica .

atypicalr's review against another edition

3.75
emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

moonlight_4_3's review against another edition

2.75
dark sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

rosalie_st's review against another edition

3.0
Très gras.
Recueil de petites nouvelles, parfois autobiographiques, parfois fictives, difficile de dire ce qui est vrai ou pas. Pas certaine d'aimer ce genre d'histoire? En tout cas, c'est lu

anastasiyasa's review against another edition

2.0
4 stars for the writing, - 4 stars for content, + 2 stars for ‘Animal Crackers in my Soup’
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literatetexan's review against another edition

2.0
Most of these stories aren't stories at all. Many of them are anecdotes with no point. Some are essays. A few are long prose poems. I've admired some of Bukowski's work, but not this volume. It reads as if he wants to be Hemingway but more shocking. I did like a few of the stories, though -- "The Blanket" was good. I thought "Animal Crackers in My Soup" came closest to being a real story, but the ending was lazy and lame. But most of the book is dreary and forgettable, even though Bukowski's way with words is obvious. Also, it is funny in parts.
erikleest's profile picture

erikleest's review against another edition

4.75
dark emotional reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes