"Some people never go crazy, what truly horrible lives they must live," Charles Bukowski.
Another of his quotes, "An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way."
Hard to argue with the man.
His work isn't for everyone. If you're delicate, easily offended, or stricken with a puritan heart, it's probably best you stand back and leave his writings to others. On the other hand if you do appreciate a well turned phrase or enjoy good writing and want an inside look at a drunken genius's mind then by all means find his books. Much of his works were issued by small presses in limited editions and are worth thousands. Amazon has many listed on their Kindle pages.
"If you're losing your soul and you know it, then you've still got a soul left to lose." Charles Bukowski.
It's a sickness, my eclectic taste in literature. If you follow take care the path.
Stephen
Tastes in literature are hard to explain, but easy to understand. It's whatever makes you happy, when one comes to the crux of the matter.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have such that you can turn to. If Bukowski's poetry meets your needs, then enjoy.
3 of my favourites were included in a film documenting Bukowski's life - Sean Penn, Harry Dean Stanton and Bono. Bukowski is not my favourite by any means - absolutely no one can touch Eliot or Pound in my mind - but he ranks up there pretty highly. and he knew how to tell the sorry and awful truth. God bless his soul for trying so hard.
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
I find joy in many types or poetry and books. Some things I read are more puritanical, some are downright raunchy. I just love reading. I never select what I read because of the message within.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in grad school, some hardcore feminists scolded me for reading racist or male chauvinist writers like Hemingway, Faulkner, and others, saying I should read only women writers. I was shocked and told them I read because I liked to read. How can a person learn what a man thinks and how he writes if one never picks up a book written by a man? Besides, these men were writing with the voice and sensibilities or lack thereof of their times. These feminists were never lit profs or lit students. So, what do they know?
Of course, I have my standards and do not choose books that are so violent and have no redeeming qualities at all. And, I cannot be pinned down as to my favorite author at all. Usually, it is the author I am currently reading...lol. But, I do detest romance.
Even drunks have their moments of brilliance.
He looks like a man who knew how to appreciate a good bottle of Thunderbird or Mad Dog 20 20.
ReplyDeleteI like the poets who came out of the First World War. Something about their world view has always resonated with me.
Stephen,Not too long ago,you and I agreed on some of our favorite authors in your comment section.Put Buchowski in with them for me,too.His novels were fictionalized accounts of his childhood and adult life,and he told it like it was.As was mentioned above,there is a good documentary about him(it's avilable on Netflix)with some commentary by himself.After watching that,I can hear his voice and mannerisms when I read his work.
ReplyDeleteBTW,because of our discussion about authors,I'm re-reading Ruark,and it's just as good the third time around.
Such a true statement:
ReplyDelete" . . . An artist says a hard thing in a simple way."
I will try to find that documentary recommendation on Netflix.
I've never been a big fan of poetry, although I don't understand this, since I enjoy song lyrics and enjoy writing the same.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to poetry, the only poem that always enters my mind is "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner". It struck a note and, although I can never remember the entire poem, I can remember the last line: "They washed me out of the turret with a hose."
Thanks, My Friends, I do appreciate the comments...I feel like Jess's comment.
ReplyDeletePretty Cool!
ReplyDelete