A review by bbygrey
On Drinking by Charles Bukowski

challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Honestly I didn’t think reading about an old drunk angry man’s stream of consciousness would enthrall me as much as this did. I flew through this book in just over a day. I had never read any of bukowski’s work before this, but I believe this is a perfect introductory. It contains small excerpts from all of his previous work within poetry, novels, letters and interviews all pertaining to his alcoholism. I think throughout the entire book he never once mentioned regretting the addiction which I find very interesting, rather he looks at people who have chosen sobriety as failing. This was an entirely different take on the subject than I’ve ever witnessed before so it held my attention throughout. Not that I condone or even support this approach, more so it was interesting to see another outlook.