Bukowski for Beginners

By Carlos Polimeni

Book Overview

Charles Bukowski, poet, novelist, short-story writer, journalist, and cult figure of the dissident and rebellious was born in Germany in 1920 and died in the USA in 1994. During his life he was hailed as "laureate of American lowlife" by Time magazine literary critic Adam Kirsch of The New Yorker wrote: "The secret of Bukowski's appeal...(is that) he combines the confessional poet's promise of intimacy with the largerthan-life aplomb of a pulp-fiction hero."

Bukowski was one of the most unconventional writers and cultural critics of the 20th century. He lived an unorthodox, idiosyncratic life and wrote in a style that was unique--one that is impossible to classify or categorize. His work was at times cynical or humorous, but was always brilliant and challenging. His life and work are distinguished not only by a remarkable talent for words, but also by his rejection of the dominant social and cultural values of American society. Bukowski began writing at the age of forty and published forty-five books, six of them novels. He is also considered one of the great literary voices of Los Angeles.

In Bukowski For Beginners, playwright Carlos Polimeni evaluates the life and literary achievements of the cult writer whose voice of dissidence an discontent is still heard and appreciated by readers worldwide.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1939994373
• ISBN13: 9781939994370
• Release Date: April 2015
• Publisher: For Beginners
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A good introduction

Polimeni and Rep have written/illustrated a nice overview and history of Charles Bukowski's life and work. I had read one collection of Bukowski's stories prior to reading this book, so knew a little bit about him; this book has definitely rounded out the picture and helped me decide what other books might be worth reading. I thought it was an interesting touch to lay out Bukowski's passion for drink and other suspect pursuits with no judgment whatsoever--they let the reader draw his own conclusions and focus on the writing. Also, the comic book style makes it a very easy read; I read it in an afternoon.The purpose of the book is to give the unfamiliar reader a sense of who Bukowski was and the quality of his writing. And on that score, I think it succeeds very well.

Never heard of Bukowski until this book

P>I would not have read about this man but for this book so THERE! <p>All that said, Bukowski, though interesting, strikes me as the true author of the ideas of "Betrachtung eines Unpolitischen" first penned by Thomas Mann. Bukowski may write from the depths of poverty and the American working class, but his perspectives are politically ambigious or neutral...he should endorse socialism but doesn't.<p>Partly, this book makes me think of Maxim Gorky's _Lower Depths_ as a point of comparison...but Bukowski...it's hard to say...apolitical, uncritical...he expresses much angst and suffering but doesn't investigate significantly the root causes of such suffering and depridation;<p>I'll take Terry Eagleton's lit.crit any day in preference, I'm afraid. I sympathize w/ Bukowski but...<p>Nevertheless, I feel enriched to at least know about him--which I probably would not have known were it not for this intro book from a famous series of documentary comic boks I deeply respect.