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4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Distraction from Your Life, Jun 24 2004
Charles Bukowski had it rough, and in this collection of short stories and poems, you can enjoy all the insight and beauty he had the courage and wit to observe during those difficult times."Septuagenarian Stew" was written in the early 1990's, four years before Bukowski's death. It's a great book to read right before you go to bed. Sometimes you'll read a couple poems and your hair won't be blown back. "Eh, I've read better," you'll say. And about mid-way through the collection, when the stories and poems all revolve around horse-racing, you may get incredibly bored and feel the need to skip over a few things. This, of course, is acceptable, as many people get bored with Buk's horse stories. Watch out you don't skip too many, though, for there are always gems hidden beneath the grit and grime of his writing. They demand to be sought. Give the book, and the author, some time and patience. Because before you know it, he'll wollop you over the head with an amazing, emotionally-searing poem or story that'll unhinge your jaw and leave you staring at the words on the page in shock and awe. For short stories, "Vengeance of the Damned," (a quickie about a group of homeless men who take over a department store) and "A Day" (about, literally, a day in Buk's life) are especially captivating. "Bad Day" is also a good one. And the best poems are too numerous to count - you'll stumble upon them at odd moments, and like I said before, you may be shocked at how such a grizzly, unforgiving alcoholic could have so much tenderness and beauty inside. Also check out "Bukowski: Born Into This," the 2004 documentary that received limited release in theatres. Wait 'til video. It'll be worth it.
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