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56th out of 198 books
—
80 voters
You Get So Alone at Times That it Just Makes Sense
Charles Bukowski examines cats and his childhood in" You Get So Alone at Times," a book of poetry that reveals his tender side. He delves into his youth to analyze its repercussions.
Paperback, 313 pages
Published
June 5th 1986
by Black Sparrow Press
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3,000)
--beasts bounding through time--
Van Gogh writing his brother for paints
Hemingway testing his shotgun
Celine going broke as a doctor of medicine
the impossibility of being human
Villon expelled from Paris for being a thief
Faulkner drunk in the gutters of his town
the impossibility of being human
Burroughs killing his wife with a gun
Mailer stabbing his
the impossibility of being human
Maupassant going mad in a rowboat
Dostoevsky lined up against a wall to be shot
Crane off the back of a boat into the prope...more
Van Gogh writing his brother for paints
Hemingway testing his shotgun
Celine going broke as a doctor of medicine
the impossibility of being human
Villon expelled from Paris for being a thief
Faulkner drunk in the gutters of his town
the impossibility of being human
Burroughs killing his wife with a gun
Mailer stabbing his
the impossibility of being human
Maupassant going mad in a rowboat
Dostoevsky lined up against a wall to be shot
Crane off the back of a boat into the prope...more
Jun 16, 2008
Davy
is currently reading it
The library is after me again to return this book to them. I just can't seem to let it go. I've taken to not answering my door in fear of an angry librarian come to collect on a raft of overdue fines. I think I might hide it inside my old toaster for a while just in case they break in and try to take it back.
Yes, it's that good.
And I'm a cheap bastard.
Yes, it's that good.
And I'm a cheap bastard.
Man, I wish you guys could see how banged-up and dog-eared my copy of "You Get So Alone" is. I think that's the only way I can do this collection justice. The poet as an older man lacks the vinegar and vitriol of his younger self, but being eight years from his death certainly infused these poems with the magnetic appeal of a someone who has seen enough to write about it however he damn well pleases. His rage has abated and a brutally subtle wit stepped up to fill its shoes, all to an immensely...more
This book makes me wonder if Charles Bukowski was the loneliest man on Earth. (Not as an insult)
I'll further explain my feelings towards this book with the texts exchanged between me and a friend (starting with me):
- "It's funny, the reason I can't just sit through a bukowski book and finish it at once is because he actually kinda starts to annoy me after a while... ha"
- "I can see that. But how so?"
- "It's too hard to explain in a text or even a few sentences, we'll just have to look at the boo...more
I'll further explain my feelings towards this book with the texts exchanged between me and a friend (starting with me):
- "It's funny, the reason I can't just sit through a bukowski book and finish it at once is because he actually kinda starts to annoy me after a while... ha"
- "I can see that. But how so?"
- "It's too hard to explain in a text or even a few sentences, we'll just have to look at the boo...more
This is one of my favorite collections of poetry. Charles Bukowski led a pretty rough life (he was an unapologetic, womanizing, violent drunk) which is reflected in his work. Some of his pieces are coarse, lewd, and downright graphic. But amongst all of the chaos and drunkeness he will write something beautiful and poignant, which seems even more so in contrast to then violent and lacivious poems around it. And that's kind of what poetry is, isn't it? Finding something beautiful in the everyday....more
Bukowski's raw and raunchy poetic ramblings about his drunken, prostitute-filled life on skid row LA is the opposite of what I thought I'd ever like. He tells it like it is and does not candy coat. His repulsive life style is redeemed with his many ode's to his one true love, Jane. For me, one who will hopefully never live the life that Bukowski writes about, I actually enjoy taking a mental romp down those harrowing streets and living for a few poems that dirty life, relishing the feeling that...more
I'll compare reading an entire collection of Bukowski poems to listening to a whole Sex Pistols album. You love the first song and the second. By the third and fourth, the feeling wanes as thematic and musical monotony sets in, and with each proceeding poem or song, your enthusiasm continues to decrease. You Get So Alone At Times That It Just Makes Sense stays in Bukowski's wheelhouse of drinking everything in sight, screwing everyone in sight, gambling at the horse track, and realizing, from ti...more
Lots of people think that Bukowski's later work is less immediate and raw and powerful - after he found some commercial success (mainly in Europe) - than his earlier work. They ask "why don't you keep writing about drinking and fighting in alleys and sleeping with prostitutes?". To them, it felt more "real".
But I like the later stuff. It moves with more confidence and less self-awareness. I always got the sense that too many of his earlier experiences were experienced with exactly the self-satis...more
But I like the later stuff. It moves with more confidence and less self-awareness. I always got the sense that too many of his earlier experiences were experienced with exactly the self-satis...more
I purchased this collection in part because the I liked the title so much, and also as a fan of Bukowski's prose I thought I should read more of his poetry. The poems contained here are written by an older, more-settled Bukowski. He writes about being stuck in traffic, typing at his typewriter, his wife and cats, listening to classical music, encounters with other poets, fame, going to the races, drinking, and he reminisces about times with women and his experiences as a child. So he mines much...more
I loved Bukowski in high school, haven't picked him up since then, but the purposeful coarseness, the rough exterior hiding vulnerable loneliness, the delight in being offensive...no developing teenage girl should grow up without him. His poetry is so much better than his prose, this collection is my favorite.
Bukowski reminds me of this character from Naked Lunch who refused to edit anything that he ever wrote because the spontaneity of raw poetry, even--or especially--when it was crap made it the essence of true art. This is an unfair comparison, but it has some merit. The majority of the poems in here should have been left on the cutting room floor. They have an easy, conversational style that creates a sense of intimacy between the author and the reader, but as often as not they're just little non...more
In the poem "Murder" he states:
the writing becomes a useless
spasm
a jerk-off of a once
mighty
gift
Bukowski wasn't speaking of himself when he wrote those lines, but that's pretty much how I feel about this collection. That's not saying it doesn't have its memorable moments. "Helping the Old" could be considered one of Bukowski's finest poems. "Invasion" - my favorite piece in this collection - is strange and beautiful. Another poem that particularly stood out, but not because of its quality, was th...more
the writing becomes a useless
spasm
a jerk-off of a once
mighty
gift
Bukowski wasn't speaking of himself when he wrote those lines, but that's pretty much how I feel about this collection. That's not saying it doesn't have its memorable moments. "Helping the Old" could be considered one of Bukowski's finest poems. "Invasion" - my favorite piece in this collection - is strange and beautiful. Another poem that particularly stood out, but not because of its quality, was th...more
Dec 01, 2008
Rob
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
angsty high school kids who enjoyed Catcher in the Rye
I liked Bukowski a lot in high school. I enjoy his poetry more now, on the occasion that I'm in the mood for his writing. It's exactly like his stories, but more concise.
Fabulous collection of poems. This is the best poetry I've read from Bukowski to date. Once again, not all of the poems are good. He's pretty hot and cold throughout but when he's on his game, he's really on his game.
His poetry seemed to get stronger and stronger as he grew older.
I could not put this book down and what I like about his books is you can read them in one day. Reading both his prose and his poetry is so effortless for the reader and yet his imagery is very strong and he is a true...more
His poetry seemed to get stronger and stronger as he grew older.
I could not put this book down and what I like about his books is you can read them in one day. Reading both his prose and his poetry is so effortless for the reader and yet his imagery is very strong and he is a true...more
This book changed how I viewed love and writing forever.
Voracious rage, tamed fury - in this collection of poems Charles Bukowski settles debts with other writers, poets sometimes: kicks ass of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dostoevsky, pays tribute to the big god John Fante, and the minor god Louis-Ferdinand Céline... Some of the poems are of striking beauty. Plus the Bukowski companions: alcohol (beers), women (whores too)...
I think there is blood on my Bukowski book. Of course, the book is not mine. It is an ILL copy but I'm pretty sure the dried stains on the bottom right corners is blood. I wonder where the book has been. I've tried to not touch the area.
This is another excellent collection. Except for a few poems here and there that I did not react to, every one was memorable and true. I dread the day I run out of new-to-me Bukowski poetry.
Many of the writer's topics were the same, whores and other poets to name...more
This is another excellent collection. Except for a few poems here and there that I did not react to, every one was memorable and true. I dread the day I run out of new-to-me Bukowski poetry.
Many of the writer's topics were the same, whores and other poets to name...more
15 likes · like · see review
Bukowski's, in my opinion, most consistent collection of poetry. None of my favourite poems can be found here, but as a collection in whole, this book is marvellous. Less of the hard, chauvinistic and false Bukowski that I loathe and more of the soft, tender and true Bukowski that I love. Just as it should be.
From "1813-1883":
"some men never
die
and some men never
live
but we're all alive
tonight."
From "beast bounding through time -":
"the impossibility of being human
all too human
this breathing
in and...more
From "1813-1883":
"some men never
die
and some men never
live
but we're all alive
tonight."
From "beast bounding through time -":
"the impossibility of being human
all too human
this breathing
in and...more
This is by far my favorite of Bukowski. It reads of an old man, looking back on his long life. Some poems read of old, some of new. The gems are intermingled between the two, acknowledging his past with the realization of his present. It's innately honest and pure as he critiques his past work, criticizes his past life, and apologizes for nothing.
I blew through this book and dog eared more pages than I any other book I have read.
Favorite book by my favorite poet, it doesn't get better than thi...more
I blew through this book and dog eared more pages than I any other book I have read.
Favorite book by my favorite poet, it doesn't get better than thi...more
I'm not normally into poetry, but Bukowski has a very interesting approach to it.
Some of his poems are jarring, a little sexist and not that consequential, others are sad depressing snapshots of life, and yet others are dark wonderful funny heartbreaking little masterpieces that make all the other poems seem worthwhile.
Maybe in the future I'll check out one of his novels and thanks to him I'm not so opposed to reading poetry anymore, maybe Emily Dickinson might be a nice next step in expanding m...more
Some of his poems are jarring, a little sexist and not that consequential, others are sad depressing snapshots of life, and yet others are dark wonderful funny heartbreaking little masterpieces that make all the other poems seem worthwhile.
Maybe in the future I'll check out one of his novels and thanks to him I'm not so opposed to reading poetry anymore, maybe Emily Dickinson might be a nice next step in expanding m...more
Matt bought this for me as a Valentine's Day present, and I was super excited that he remembered who my favorite poet was. This is one of the Bukowski collections I have not read, and it was great to finally have the time to read for please. As usual, I was not disappointed. Bukowski is such an amazing poet.
If I have to describe how I felt reading this, it'll probably go like this:
I wake up and find myself surprisingly in whirlpool of dark, negative, depressing emotions
and while I am totally terrified that I'm getting sucked into the oblivion of it
I don't exactly struggle trying to get out either.
Fantastic read.
I wake up and find myself surprisingly in whirlpool of dark, negative, depressing emotions
and while I am totally terrified that I'm getting sucked into the oblivion of it
I don't exactly struggle trying to get out either.
Fantastic read.
1 like · like · see review
This ugly man is occasionally beautiful. The Tom Waits of poetry. These poems give you a more of his emotions than his some of his other works, and it was the first collection of his that really connected with me. Still not for everyone, but very powerful to those it's for.
The dean of drunk poets as I called him at work yesterday.
Some great work in here.
Do want to read Bukowski, I am definitely not part of the cult of Bukowski.
Cool work though, think his immediacy may affect my poems.
Some great work in here.
Do want to read Bukowski, I am definitely not part of the cult of Bukowski.
Cool work though, think his immediacy may affect my poems.
It's Bukowski, raw and right on. You either love him, or hate him. I find his poetry starkly beautiful and deeply honest. Not a lot of need to interpret him. His words are street level and compelling. Great poetic heart.
His later work trades some entertainment value for old-dude wisdom; "what matters most is how well you walk through the fire." Nobody's work has had greater influence on my writing than Bukowski. It's clear, honest, and fun to read (are you even allowed to say such things about poetry?). And just to be safe, while I give it 5 stars, it has some rated R parts.
Probably the first poetry I've actually enjoyed and connected with. Not sure if that's a compliment to Bukowski or a sad comment on my own life. Either way, I look forward to reading more.
I love all of these poems because the words are so genuine. Bukowski doesn't sugar coat his poems, it's like he just lays them down exactly as they feel to him and it's so beautiful and real
"well, that's just the way it is..."
sometimes when everything seems at
its worst
when all conspires
and gnaws
and the hours, days, weeks
years
seem wasted-
stretched there upon my bed
in the dark
looking upward at the ceiling
I get what many will consider an
obnoxious thought:
it's still nice to be
Bukowski.
...we order beer for starters, we sit there as she searches her purse for cigarettes, then I get up, move toward the jukebox, put a coin within, come back, sit down, she lifts her glass, "the first one's...more
sometimes when everything seems at
its worst
when all conspires
and gnaws
and the hours, days, weeks
years
seem wasted-
stretched there upon my bed
in the dark
looking upward at the ceiling
I get what many will consider an
obnoxious thought:
it's still nice to be
Bukowski.
...we order beer for starters, we sit there as she searches her purse for cigarettes, then I get up, move toward the jukebox, put a coin within, come back, sit down, she lifts her glass, "the first one's...more
I think that C.B. thinks poetry is ridiculous and this collection makes it painfully obvious. Crappy poetry with a hint of irony; but that's the charm.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| List of Poems | 1 | 3 | Mar 22, 2013 11:49am |
Charles Bukowski was born in Andernach, Germany on August 16, 1920, the only child of an American soldier and a German mother. At the age of three, he came with his family to the United States and grew up in Los Angeles. He attended Los Angeles City College from 1939 to 1941, then left school and moved to New York City to become a writer. His lack of publishing success at this time caused him to g...more
More about Charles Bukowski...
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“Lighting new cigarettes,
pouring more
drinks.
It has been a beautiful
fight.
Still
is.”
—
227 people liked it
pouring more
drinks.
It has been a beautiful
fight.
Still
is.”
“it seemed to me that I had never met
another person on earth
as discouraging to my happiness
as my father.
and it appeared that I had
the same effect upon
him.”
—
115 people liked it
More quotes…
another person on earth
as discouraging to my happiness
as my father.
and it appeared that I had
the same effect upon
him.”
Dec 04, 2012 04:32pm