Bukowski

[atena_63]

Is Charles Bukowski a modern writer ? why ?:)

[Virgil]

Depends what you consider modern. Modernism is a label put on works roughly from the turn of the 20th century to about world war two. After WWII is usually labeled post modern and where that roughly ends is probably undefined. Bukowski might actually be post postmodern, whatever label they ultimately give it, if you're into such labels. He only died less than five years ago or so, I believe.

[lupe]

I've read several books of Bukowski and I was wondering which one(s) people consider his best (both poetry and prose).

[LitNetIsGreat]

I've read several books of Bukowski and I was wondering which one(s) people consider his best (both poetry and prose).

Factotum is his best novel, I don't care for his poetry.

[Mark F.]

I prefer Ham on Rye and South of No North as far as his prose goes. The Captain is Out To Lunch and the Sailors Have Taken Over the Ship is also worth reading. I've only read a couple of his collections of poetry. If you like his writing you should enjoy Play the Piano Drunk like a Percussion Instrument Until the Fingers Begin to Bleed a Bit.

[Hank Stamper]

i second ham on rye and factotum.. both great books.. i would also recommend the most beautiful woman in town... not really read any of his poetry

as to the first question.. i think he shares some of the modernist techniques in terms of realism, but i think he probably has more in common with the beat writers.. i certainly dont think you could call him a post-modernist

[Jeremiah Jazzz]

I'll have to go with Factotum as well. But I have to say, I'm not really into Bukowski like I used to be. It was great for me for a while, now it's just not for me.

[lupe]

I realize I haven’t read Factotum yet. I enjoyed Notes of a dirty old man, as well as Post Office. Some of the short stories from Hot Water Music, Mockingbird wish me luck and Love is a dog from hell were both funny and entertaining. As far as poetry is concerned, the ones in Burning in Water, Drawing in Flame seemed the best.

[Fellow]

I think factotum was my favorite prose work too. I also have to mention barfly, which I believe Bukowski wrote the screenplay for. It shares a lot with factotum. It's one of my all time favorite films even though Buke wasn't to keen on how Mickey Rourke portrayed him. That film version of factotum however, not so good.

[country doctor]

bukowski is the drunk at your local vfw with a pen in his hand. most of those drunks tell their stories with their tongues, but bukowski put it down on paper. the world is full of bukowskis. they just don't write about life's woes.

[Virgil]

bukowski is the drunk at your local vfw with a pen in his hand. most of those drunks tell their stories with their tongues, but bukowski put it down on paper. the world is full of bukowskis. they just don't write about life's woes.

:lol: Well, yes there are plenty of drunks telling their stories, and I love to hear them, even Bukowski's, though frankly I do not consider him a poet of real merit. But you characterize him as someone at the local VFW (that's a hangout for Veterans of Foreign Wars, for those who are not up on the nuances of American culture). Now yes Bukowski would make a good drunk at some bar, but I would never place him at a VFW. :D

[country doctor]

well the local 'vee' in my town has the cheapest tap beer. when i was visiting it (and, i'm not a veteran myself either. don't have to be one to give them your money in our town.) you could get a tap 10 oz. beer for fifty cents. couldn't see bukowski paying five bucks for a cold one at a trendy place.
by using the 'vee' as a place to drink, i was implying your local dive bar. (where they all know your name.)

[Virgil]

well the local 'vee' in my town has the cheapest tap beer. when i was visiting it (and, i'm not a veteran myself either. don't have to be one to give them your money in our town.) you could get a tap 10 oz. beer for fifty cents. couldn't see bukowski paying five bucks for a cold one at a trendy place.
by using the 'vee' as a place to drink, i was implying your local dive bar. (where they all know your name.)

Ah, I see. Still I think he would be out of place. You're right about the cheap beer. I haven't been in one in ages, but it was quite reasonable. :D

[country doctor]

oh for sure most of his binges would take place in the comfort of his home. but when he felt like a couple of social cocktails, it would have to be at the local dive bar. and i'm sure he'd hold court on his stool while rousing the rabble as he got snockered.

[joseph90ie]

hey doc...'snockered'? lol, that's excellent. is that a coinage of your own? well minted, whoever!

[country doctor]

no, that one has been around the neighborhood bar for awhile.