I am not going to go over the contents of the book, or much about Charles Bukowski, because if you are considering this book you must know something about the man and his work. I will just give you my impression of this collection of work.
No collection can ever really be complete, there are always new things to add, new commentary, newly discovered works, transcripts of records and unpublished letters, but this book does an excellent job in its attempt.
To me Charles Bukowski will always be one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century, because of the sheer brutality and honesty his work emanates. It is funny, sad, sadistic, cruel, scathing, enlightening and thought provoking. Everything I like to read. This is poetry for people who are disgusted by verse of flowers, trees and Greek mythology. This is RAW human emotion and experience smeared out onto paper. It is not perfect, and it is not trying to be. It doesn't always work, but there in lies the subtle beauty of Bukowski's efforts. the guts to try. The attempts at honesty, clearly blocked by his unwillingness to divulge everything, and his cynicism of man.
This collection is shocking in its beauty, and inspiring by its simplicity. Enjoy.

I am not going to go over the contents of the book, or much about Charles Bukowski, because if you are considering this book you must know something about the man and his work. I will just give you my impression of this collection of work.
No collection can ever really be complete, there are always new things to add, new commentary, newly discovered works, transcripts of records and unpublished letters, but this book does an excellent job in its attempt.
To me Charles Bukowski will always be one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century, because of the sheer brutality and honesty his work emanates. It is funny, sad, sadistic, cruel, scathing, enlightening and thought provoking. Everything I like to read. This is poetry for people who are disgusted by verse of flowers, trees and Greek mythology. This is RAW human emotion and experience smeared out onto paper. It is not perfect, and it is not trying to be. It doesn't always work, but there in lies the subtle beauty of Bukowski's efforts. the guts to try. The attempts at honesty, clearly blocked by his unwillingness to divulge everything, and his cynicism of man.
This collection is shocking in its beauty, and inspiring by its simplicity. Enjoy.

Shortly before his death, Bukowski was the subject of an anthology. It is a good anthology, not a great one, but a good one, and Bukowski seemed to think so as well. He notes during the reading of one the selections that they "Put some pretty good stuff in here" which, for Bukowski, is a whale of a compliment. It took me a long time to realize it, but Bukowski meant for his works to be funny, tragically funny perhaps, but funny nonetheless. Hearing Buk read these well known passages from his poetry and prose is a pleasure that is hard for me to communicate.

He was a decent man.

deadpan often depressing and brutallyhonest collection of short stories. never a feel good story in this collection. know that when you start reading it

This is essential a collection of works Bukowski wrote for a column. As such it reads like a collection of short stories. It's a good book to keep beside the crapper, especially if you are expecting a visit from your in-laws. Very frank writing of the dark side of life: sex, drugs, alcohol - the good stuff! I love Bukowski's style. If you are easily offended by dirty words and candid talk of sexual deviancy I highly recommend you read this book (or just about anything else Bukowski has written) and get over your hang-ups. It's just a book!

Some consider Charles Bukowski overrated... some think of him as an unhearalded genius. This collection falls somewhere in the middle. Initially I read this book ravenously, and fell in love with about half of the stories. Since then I have revisited it with a bit more care, and I continue to fine amazing beauty in the way Buk Takes jagged, rusty words and puts them together with duct tape to create these urban scenes. The greats could never have done this, None of them knew LA. This book seems to do the imposible. At once it honors the city of angels with an incredibly accurate rendering of what LA is, and it makes you hate the city all the more for the same reason. This is a great place to start reading Bukowski.

Sorry, Charlie. This is the book bukowski was TRYING to write when he wrote FACTOTUM. I love Bukowski, but this is the real thing. It hangs in there. Fante turns the camera on the main character while the others are mere foils for deeper probing. Whereas Bukowski builds a picture of society around his characters, Fante here truly explores values and value through one man's eyes. If you pick this book up and hate it, read it anyway. If you don't understand it, struggle through. If the only other book you've read is the bible, read this. Feel free to be offended, feel rejection and dejection. If you love Bukowski, you'll really like this. If you don't love Buk, that's okay too because Fante keeps the story moving without taking us all the way into the gutter. -Mike

The first 13 chapters or so are absolutely fantastic, super-poetic, naturalistic writing; as good as most of Hemingway (king of the overrated writers) and post-Death-on-the-Installment-Plan Celine. The deep hatred that's the flipside of love is here in its most brutally tragic and truthful form in the scenes between Camilla and Bandini. Some people don't respond to these scenes because they've never bothered to examine these feelings in themselves (though they've definitely had them), they've just ignored and repressed them. Not Fante. No way! Fante's out to force readers to face these feelings in themselves, and it's so annoying, it hurts! But that's what good naturalistic writing is supposed to do: HURT. If you can't deal with it go read some moralistic, 'sympathetic,' nonsense; there are thousands of books of that type to choose from.

It should be obvious after reading the first chapter why Bukowski liked this book so much. Without Fante there would definitely never have been a Bukowski (whose stuff is distinctly original in subject matter, but much more commonplace in its writing style than this particular book by Fante anyway).

The smell and feel of Los Angeles in the '30s is damn near palpable. Things come alive in concise, economically crafted sentences, on an an almost "Day of the Locust" level.

Starting with the earthquake chapter things run out of steam for a while before picking up again towards the end.

For a simple 'little' book written in 1939 to still continue to affect readers in 2000 is no mean feat. "Ask the Dust" is like a cross between Nathaniel West, William Saroyan, and, yes, good old Bukowski (without the scatology, of course). And though I wouldn't put it on the same level as Hemingway's "Green Hills of Africa," or Celine's "Journey to the End of the Night," it's definitely one for the 'ages' (whatever the hell that means).

I read Ask the Dust years ago, when I was in college and in my tortured, Bukowski, Artaud, Rimbaud phase. I still smile when I think about those times, ridiculous though they may have been.

Fante really isn't for everybody, his writing is pretty crazy, but most should enjoy it. Aspiring young writers will most likely adore it. And Ask the Dust is a perfect place to start.

The best way to describe Fante (and this book) is with one word: URGENCY! It feels like you're reading something that was ripped right from the typewriter. It's all passion, all nuttiness, all fun intensity.

He's like Bukowski in many ways, but without the occassional creepiness. Fante is zesty. He's all life. His words are big and fat and each one matters. You won't find yourself digging through pages of exposition or superflous descriptions. It's all right there in front of your eyes.

Lot of fun. Very, very humorous. Fante had a wonderful, joking manner. He was able to laugh at himself (a great quality, rare among writers), but he was also able to see the sadness in life.

The ending made me cry.

This collection is one of Bukowski's best. His poem "Dreamlessly" is one of the best poems I have ever read. If you think poetry is only for the highbrow elite, try Bukowski you'll be pleasantly surprised. His work is honest, and often disturbing, but it is very very good. Bukowski's quote on his own work may have said it best (edited so Amazon will post it), "It's not that I'm so f'ing good...it's that everyone else is so f'ing bad." You may decide you wouldn't have liked Bukowski the man, but I'm sure you'll like Bukowski the writer.

I often feel that attempting to review poetry boarders on pretension. It is impossible to explore the infinite interpretations that accompany each poem; however, this compilation, which includes some of Bukowski's earlier works deserves some words.

All too often Bukowski is forced in to a literary box by those who have only read a brief snippet of his work. They see him as a down and out drunk, with a penchant for the written word. They fail to realize the greater depth of his poetry. Yes, Bukowski lived a very hard life, however, the booze and the women and the flophouse rooms also serve as a metaphor, illustrating his far-reaching insight into the world.

Through his poems, we see life through jaded eyes. So jaded, in fact, as to prove enlightening. From Bukowski's self-imposed exile from the daily grind, he is able to view the world of man objectively. He is able to gain a realization of the absurdities that all too often dull the lives of many, and in this way, Bukowski brings forth a certain level of enlightenment. Through his work, we too can view life objectively and combat the absurdities that plague us all.

This was my first stab at a Charles Bukowski work and it led me to go out and find out as much as I could about this gifted writer. "Some people" is perhaps the best poem ever, in my opinion. A must for any fan of honest writing.

I have been reading Bukowski for 25 years now--and I can honestly say this is not very good here at all. Maybe 5 to 10 percent has merit and is worth reading--and the rest? Babble, gibberish, flat. Mind you, this is not easy for a Buk fan to admit--but the way it is. I bought it cheap so I don't really regret getting it. But if you're looking for great writing, great poetry you won't find it here.
If you're looking for excellent Buk prose try Notes of a Dirty Old Man, Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions and General Tales of Ordinary Madness (broken down into two volumes and titled something else, from City Lights) Factotum, South of No North--even Hollywood. Living On Luck worked for me as well, so did Screams From the Balcony (letter collections, etc.) As far as his poetry? As someone else stated: the early or middle stuff. Septuagenerian Stew (stories and poems) isn't very good either. Could be one reason why Martin decided to sell the store.

The problem with Buk's later stuff is just this, I believe, he liked to say that writing was too easy for him, that there was nothing to it--and that what he produced was all good stuff. Well, as any writer knows, if it's that easy and you think everything you write is terrific, it very often means just the opposite.
I believe his publisher continued to publish the Buk's stuff because he was THE BUK, and we understand that.

My conclusion regarding Bukowski's work is just this: a third of his output is truly great and original, a third is fair--and the rest is blatantly bad, just too awaful to have any meaning or worth reading. And yet, having said that, as terrible as it may sound to the diehard Buk fan, I maintain it is a great compliment to the man, because the third that is good will forever keep him up there at the very top of the best writers ever. So, please don't despair because not everything he wrote isn't gold--it can't be. Nobody is that good; nobody can be. Buk was human and had his limitations.

This is the first work of Bukowski that I have purchased and I love it. I love his style of poetry, though its sometimes like little short stories always revealing the mystery, the joys the sorrows. He's the common working man's poet. The heart and soul of America. His stuff is soothing to read and sometimes I find it puts my own life in perspective. I also find that his stuff can be really funny at times though it's usually dark humor.

I don't know how this book relates to his mass of other books, but after thumbing through a few at the bookstore I seemed to like this one for what seemed to be shorter poems with stories. When I obtain some of his other work I will be able to put this book in better context.

Charles Bukowski holds nothing back, which is the beauty of his punch-to-the-gut stories and poems. He knew what he wanted to say and he said it--with no frills, no window dressing. Bukowski loved life and hated life, but he always lived it to the fullest; whether seducing hotel maids with cheap whiskey or losing all his money at the racetrack, every day was an adventure for him. And I feel forunate--after reading Betting on the Muse--that he has shared these adventures with us

I stumbled into City Lights Books in SF and they recommended Bukowski. Always skeptical of "artistic literary" types, I decided to pick out a book of short stories to entertain my MTV attention span. I was very delighted with Bukowski's stories. Some are very creative (eg. Swastika) and most are downright vulgar! Throw in a bit of tragedy and a ton of tasteless humor (6 inches and The Copulating Mermaid of Venice, CA comes to mind) and you've got an idea of Bukowski's work. At many times, I found myself laughing out loud (very unusual for me) with his stories. I will probably pick up the second part of his short story volume (Tales of Ordinary Madness) as well as Post Office. Mad immortal tales, indeed.

I stumbled into City Lights Books in SF and they recommended Bukowski. Always skeptical of "artistic literary" types, I decided to pick out a book of short stories to entertain my MTV attention span. I was very delighted with Bukowski's stories. Some are very creative (eg. Swastika) and most are downright vulgar! Throw in a bit of tragedy and a ton of tasteless humor (6 inches and The Copulating Mermaid of Venice, CA comes to mind) and you've got an idea of Bukowski's work. At many times, I found myself laughing out loud (very unusual for me) with his stories. I will probably pick up the second part of his short story volume (Tales of Ordinary Madness) as well as Post Office. Mad immortal tales, indeed.

I read the out-of-print book "Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions, and General Tales of Ordinary Madness" by Bukowski. This (The Most Beautiful Woman inTown...) is the first half of that book. I highly recommend not only the first, but also the second half "Tales of Ordinary Madness". Bukowski is such a truthful and powerful writer. His stories give a valid look at real life.

"We both ought to get jobs," Joyce said, "to prove to them that you are not after their money. To prove to them that we are self-sufficient."
"Baby, that's grammar school. Any damn fool can dig up some kind of job; it takes a wise man to make it without working."

Meet Henry Chinaski in Bukowski's first semi-autobiographical novel (written in 1971) about his days as a Post Man. Chinaski, who suffers problems with his boss, coworkers, women, the weather, and everything else, is always ready to get back up and try again. Or, instead, sit back in bed and enjoy another beer. This book hinges on the fact that Chinaski isn't your ordinary drunk. He is witty, perceptive, and always willing to speak his mind.

Post Office is very entertaining and easy to read, and a must for any Bukowski fan. It is also the perfect place to start for anyone who is unfamiliar with Bukowski, looking to get their feet wet. Filled with satirical humor, candor, insight, and plenty of booze, Post Office also doesn't fail to have touching moments with genuine emotion.

Since Bukowski's books are all linked with a central character, Chinaski, it is recommended that you read them in order, starting with this book, and then moving on to: Factotum (1975), Women (1978), Ham on Rye (1982), and Hollywood (1989). Although this is recommended, it certainly isn't a requirement. Each book is still completely independent from the next.

As far as the actual writing goes, Post Office is Bukowski's weakest novel in that respect -- so, if you like this one, keep reading. He only gets better [and funnier.]

FURTHER READING:
Ask the Dust, by John Fante. Fante, one of America's most underrated authors, was a huge influence on Bukowski and a master in his own right. His books are similar in theme and character to Bukowski's and I recommend them to anyone who enjoys Post Office. It may be worthwhile reading Ask the Dust before Post Office, but again, it doesn't really matter. (Bukowski wrote the preface to Black Sparrow's reprinting of Ask the Dust (1980.))

This is the one, the book that launched Bukowski beyond small press cultdom, the book that launched Black Sparrow past its humble position in the publishing world, and its the book that to this day still initiates readers into the wild, wild realm of Henry Chinaski. This is the first Buk book I ever read, and remains my all time favorite. Is it his best book? No, my vote would go to HAM ON RYE for that, but it is, in my opinion, his wildest and most fun read of all! Along with CATCHER IN THE RYE, CATCH 22, and SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE, POST OFFICE should be regarded, and taught, as a CLASSIC American comic masterpiece! Kudos to any high school lit teacher or college prof with the balls to make this book required reading. If you've never read Bukowski, this is the place to start. If you've read all of Bukowski, and there are many of you out there, read this one again...just for the hell of it. Why not?

This is possibly the greatest book by the greatest American writer. Bukowski speaks with an honesty and insight that is stunning to behold. He captures the American dialect so well that you can hear him telling this story as you read the book. He is funny and will make you laugh but only because what he says is true. Bukowski spent ten years working for the Los Angeles post office. When finally given a chance to quit his job he culled this book from his journal notes three weeks after leaving the post office. If you are just starting to explore Bukowski's prose this is a great starter book, quick moving, always interesting, and only mildly offensive in comparison to Women or The Most Beautiful Girl In Town.

Although far from Bukowski's best, this is a revealing send-up of what happens when brutal honesty (Buk) interacts with the California entertainment industry. A roman a clef about the making of the independent film Barfly based on Bukowski's life and some of his earlier stories,the book shows Bukowski finally gaining some recognition and acceptance near the end of his career. The movie stars Faye Dunnaway and Hollywood badboy Mickey Rourke who does a good job slurring and walking about with hemorrhoids. Yet it appears from the text that Bukowski would have preferred Sean Penn, who was originally cast in the part, to play him in the film--Penn had more heart. As always with Bukowski, there are real emotions, honest appraisals, and bone-cutting prose--not compromise, pandering, mediocrity, and unfortunately often successful attempts by MSG-dazed writers to pluck the heart strings and collect the cash.In all his books, Bukowski's presence is perhaps the most palpable of any author behind his fictional protagonist. This is, one might argue (and Phillipe Lacoue-Labarthe did, in the Paradox of the Actor), the diametric opposite of actors, whose abilities lie in taking on the personae of others, and consequently losing their own identity in the process. The story is that when Bukowski, although much older, first encountered Arnold Schwazenegger in Hollywood, he had to be restrained from attempting to fight him just for being such an obvious phony. Far from his most testosterone-crazed, drunken bull self here,he does not seduce but does manage as if for old time's sake to pull onto his lap the pretty co-star during a wine-drenched film party. Even and especially when confronted with (and making some money off of) L.A.s billion-dollar dream machine, Bukowski (as alter ego Henry Chinaski) preserves his uncompromising heart and unwavering eye in the face of the ugly truth. A welcome tonic to Hollywood's treacle.

This had to be one of the most enjoyable books I've read in years. It's actually based on Bukowski's life and the events that lead up to and involve the making of his movie "Barfly." It's totally off the wall, but Bukowski's take on Hollywood's own particular brand of insanity is probably just as true today as it was when Charles Bukowski penned this masterpiece of the absurd. Definitely a great book from one of my favorite writers. Highly recommended!

Anyone who has seen the movie must read this book. The film was a stretch for O'rouke and Dunaway to capture the essence of the characters who actually lived this life. The debate that end with a saw. One book that deserves a spot on my bookshelf.

So many writers have mired themselves in a cloud of smoke, sex and booze to try and find some oasis of writing clarity or purety of the human experience. Some have been succesful - many have not. The image of the weathered writer smoking, hunched over his typewriter is as old as anything. It is hard to not be cliche when you attack writing-and life-from this angle. "Love is A Dog..." has a refreshing clarity through the haze of smoke and self-loathing that surrounds a good deal of Bukowski's work. He has such a gift for creating and conveying images that at times, the quality of his prose may wane - but his poetry soars. Using less words for more impact, as well as the brevity and abruptness of some poems only serve to make them hit home harder. Notable mentions: "One for the Shoeshine Man," "How to Be A Great Writer" and "Cold Plums." This is a certain brand of poetry which I'm sure won't be liked by all - but damned worth giving a chance.

Charles Bukowski was the father of drunken debauchery and only he could lay the pen upon it and make it appear magical. His words quite often hypnotize you, pulling you into the heart of his blackly vibrant emotions. It seems everyone has a favorite writing period of Bukowski and this one happens to be mine. If you are new to his self-indulging spews of wretchedness you will either love him or loathe him.His writings ( in this case poetry) mirror his life i.e.: drinking binges,numerous affairs with women of all sorts, days at the track,facing mortality , and the abject sadness of skidrow life. He thrived , growing like a fungus , amidst the dregs of humanity, feeding off their disorders. Be prepaired for an unsavory look at the seedy side of urban America and hopefully it will be well fulfilling!

Bukowski's poetry is like his books : straight to your guts and to your heart. No concessions, of course, and that lirism so special from this strange man, one of the freest men ever. Love, sex, pain, alcohol in overdose in a book that I read breathless. Yes, this is real modern poetry from a modern man. Buk, I'll have many on you; we all should.

Howard Sounes' new Bukowski biography is much better than Cherkovski's BUKOWSKI: A LIFE, or Steve Richmond's self-serving SPINNING OFF BUKOWSKI; but it's still not great. He does dispel some of the Bukowski mythology (which Bukowski himself was the main promoter of) that has grown over the years. Unfortunately, he dwells too much on Bukowski's sex life, which can be read about in two fat Bukowski books (in every Bukowski book really) WOMEN and LOVE IS A DOG FROM HELL. This would be a good introduction for the uninitiated, but for Buk fanatics it's nothing new. Try Gay Brewer's wonderful CHARLES BUKOWSKI, for a more in depth (though somewhat academic) look at what Bukowski is important for: HIS WRITING! And for Bukowski's publishing history the forthcoming DESCRIPTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE PRIMARY WORKS OF CHARLES BUKOWSKI by Aaron Krumhansl, will be indispensible.

The author does an excellent job of piercing the myths and legends about Bukowski and revealing the scared, lonely guy within - while admitting that Bukowski could be, and often was, a real louse, he shows his human side and does a good analysis of his life's work. It's not an exhaustive biography and it's a quick read, but frankly, with someone whose life was as squalid and often, depressing as Bukowski's, I prefer reading a book that doesn't go into every drunken rage and arrest the guy ever had. A very nice piece of work, a must for Bukowski fans.

Here's a story kiddies, please bear with me:

Years ago I was a struggling, naive graduate student in English at a major southern university. Like a fool, I decided to write a master's thesis on Charles Bukowski. The department chair stuck me with a professor who was supposedly the resident expert on contemporary American literature. From our first conversation it was clear that the man not only had no respect for Buk, but hated his work and hated the very notion that anyone would want to do graduate level work on him. He dismissed the idea with a sniff, saying, "He's marginal and unworthy. No one has written a book on him." I am sad to report that I let the bastard get the better of me. The thesis went unwritten.

Well, that was a decade ago and since then there have been several very fine books written about Bukowski. Three excellent volumes come readily to mind: Neeli Cherkovski's seminal biography, "Bukowski: A Life"; Gay Brewer's Twayne volume, "Charles Bukowski"; and Russell Harrison's "Against the American Grain." All are top notch in their own way.

Now we have Howard Sounes' worthy addition to this list, "Charles Bukowski: Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life." This new biography works well as a compliment to Cherkovski's more intimate work (Neeli and Hank were good friends and the closeness of their relationship informs every page of the text). Sounes' book is more flamboyant, to be sure, and paints Bukowski in darker colors than does Cherkovski's. Both portraits are quite valuable and, even more important, both are very good reads.

I'm still waiting, though, for the definitive Bukowski biography to emerge, a book that combines a true scholar's rigor with a novelist's eye for detail. Maybe some new English professor or graduate student coming up will grab for the brass ring. I can't help but think that our universities will finally forget their snobbery and small brained prejudices and hop on the Bukowski bandwagon.

What I would love to see published is a book that encompasses the pictures painted by Sounes, Cherkovski, Brewer and Harrison, with added chunks of personal grace and style thrown in by this to-be-named biographer. It's bound to happen some day because Bukowski's legacy is simply too daunting, too great to be ignored.

In the meantime, I recommend this book and all of the others I named above. There are other fine volumes on Buk out there, too. Go find them all and read them right away. You'll learn lots of cool stuff and be the life of your next cocktail party!