Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #997838 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Synopsis
This collection of essays forms a critical analysis of the work of Charles Bukowski. Russell Harrison puts the writing of legendary barfly Bukowski under the microscope to help readers gain a better understanding of his work. Divided into two sections - essays on his poetry and then his fiction - the book digs deep beneath the surface of Bukowski's writing, citing his key influences, and paying particular heed to Bukowski's complex relationship with labour, class and women. The essays seek to understand the enigma that was Charles Bukowski and examine why, so far, a writer like Bukowski has not been accepted by the traditional literary establishment.

Customer Reviews

Bit stuffy - but worth the effort.
This book is quiet academic and a bit stuffy in places, it does mention some other good writers Like Fante and Hamsun in comparison with Bukowski which was interesting and there's a good essay about Buk's short stories. I recently brought another book of essays about Bukowki from Amazon called: Bukowski Unleashed! it was written by the fans of Bukowski and came across with much more vitality and wit than Harrisons book. Having said that I would expect most of bukowski's hardcore fans to check out both titles and see for themselves.

A suitable tool for the serious Bukowski fan.
The logic is clear. The examples are numerous. The only such work of its kind to my knowledge. There is plenty of academic jargon, but the ideas are recognizable. Only the complete Bukowski nut will not find something new worth considering. Readers will find the sheer volume of quotes useful, but some literary background helps, there is a chapter on 'Metonymy'. Probably too specialized for those unfamiliar with the author's work, unless they happen to be preoccupied with the American Labor Movement.

HARRISON vs BUKOWSKI
Harrison's collection of essays attempt to bend Bukowski and his work over to a leftist perspective. Looking a little closely at Bukowski, his writings (poetry, prose, stories) tend to shift in an apolitical pattern. There is no leftist consistency with his work, though I'll give three stars for Harrison's effort and my own leftist sympathies.

-- Brad Evans --