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246th out of 673 books
—
708 voters
Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame
Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame is poetry full of gambling, drinking and women. Charles Bukowski writes realistically about the seedy underbelly of life.
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
May 31st 2002
by Ecco
(first published June 5th 1983)
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a five, but only because of one poem in the book that truly resonates with me. i have to admit that I don't think i can ever read buk again. I killed him when i was younger, and now i'm kind of embarrassed by how close i felt to his alter ego. totally cliche on my part.
Good lord, I'm reading Bukowski again. Soon I'll be growling at those around me, cursing for no damn good reason, telling everyone to go to hell, and perhaps I'll be a bit more pure for all that.
When I moved cross country I dumped all the books I didn't need, but somehow my collection of Bukowski books survived, despite how I hadn't picked them up for years. I suppose I found them too much a part of a certain period of my life, lounging by rivers with coeds, reading poems about how all women ar...more
When I moved cross country I dumped all the books I didn't need, but somehow my collection of Bukowski books survived, despite how I hadn't picked them up for years. I suppose I found them too much a part of a certain period of my life, lounging by rivers with coeds, reading poems about how all women ar...more
Jul 10, 2009
Pardis Parto
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one
Recommended to Pardis by:
no one
یکی از شعرهای مجموعه "برای روباه ها" نام دارد که به شدت شرح حال بسیاری از ماست...
همدردی تان را کنار بگذارید
آن طور که میگویند
آب مسیح را برای خود نگه داشته است
برای عبور فقط باید کمی خوش اقبال باشید
همدردی تان را کنار بگذارید
آن طور که میگویند
آب مسیح را برای خود نگه داشته است
برای عبور فقط باید کمی خوش اقبال باشید
This is my favorite book of poetry from Bukowski that I own. I have been picking it up randomly and reading the poems over and over for the past couple years-- and they haven't gotten old yet. His early poetry (1955-1973) is so wonderful because it depicts a life that the younger generation can relate to. Or at least I can. I want to go to bull fights and horse races, get drunk on wine and fall asleep on trains. While these things don't really appear to be that appealing, his style creates a cyn...more
البته شعر بوکوفسکی را خیلی جدی نمی گیرم شاید ظاهری از بودلر را چنان که خود اشاره دارد تداعی کند اما خب بیشتر نوعی سرگرمی و مزاح دلنشین است تا شعری عمیق و تکان دهنده
بیگانهها
شاید باور نکنی
ولی آدمهایی هستند
که زندگیشان
بی کمترین رنج و پریشانی
میگذرد
خوب لباس میپوشند
خوب میخورند
خوب میخوابند
از زندگی خانوادگیشان راضیاند
البته بعضی وقتها غمگین میشوند
ولی اثری بر زندگیشان نمیگذارد
همیشه حالشان خوب است
و مرگشان
مرگی است راحت در میانهی خواب
شاید باور نکنی
ولی این جور آدم ها وجود دارند
ولی من از آنها ن...more
بیگانهها
شاید باور نکنی
ولی آدمهایی هستند
که زندگیشان
بی کمترین رنج و پریشانی
میگذرد
خوب لباس میپوشند
خوب میخورند
خوب میخوابند
از زندگی خانوادگیشان راضیاند
البته بعضی وقتها غمگین میشوند
ولی اثری بر زندگیشان نمیگذارد
همیشه حالشان خوب است
و مرگشان
مرگی است راحت در میانهی خواب
شاید باور نکنی
ولی این جور آدم ها وجود دارند
ولی من از آنها ن...more
Burning in Water is another example of why I am so happy to be pushing through this reading list. Misogynistic, alcoholic poetry is not really my go-to genre, but I loved Bukowski and his humor, cadence and wit.
I had many favorites, but if forced to choose, I would go with "the body".
I have been
hanging here
headless
for so long
that the body has forgotten
why
or where or when it
happened
and the toes
walk along in shoes
that do not
care
and although
the fingers
slice things and
hold things and
move things and
t...more
I had many favorites, but if forced to choose, I would go with "the body".
I have been
hanging here
headless
for so long
that the body has forgotten
why
or where or when it
happened
and the toes
walk along in shoes
that do not
care
and although
the fingers
slice things and
hold things and
move things and
t...more
i did love some of the poems. here's an excerpt from the start of the poem "dreamlessly", which i enjoyed:
"old grey-haired waitresses
in cafes at night
have given it up,
and as I walk down sidewalks of
light and look into windows
of nursing homes
I can see that it is no longer
with them.
I see people sitting on park benches
and I can see by the way they
sit and look
that it is gone.
I see people driving cars
and I see by the way
they drive their cars
that they neither love nor are
loved -
nor do they cons...more
"old grey-haired waitresses
in cafes at night
have given it up,
and as I walk down sidewalks of
light and look into windows
of nursing homes
I can see that it is no longer
with them.
I see people sitting on park benches
and I can see by the way they
sit and look
that it is gone.
I see people driving cars
and I see by the way
they drive their cars
that they neither love nor are
loved -
nor do they cons...more
I've been on a poetry-reading kick recently - mainly because I'm trying to shift gears in life and find it encouraging that Bukowski didn't start writing poetry till 34.
That proves it. I'm not dead yet.
This was a collection he assembled of what he liked best from '55-'73. What works in these collections is seeing transformation for one artist over time. And that works fine here.
But his earlier work doesn't have the real cut-you-down moments of crystalization or clarity that the later stuff does....more
That proves it. I'm not dead yet.
This was a collection he assembled of what he liked best from '55-'73. What works in these collections is seeing transformation for one artist over time. And that works fine here.
But his earlier work doesn't have the real cut-you-down moments of crystalization or clarity that the later stuff does....more
"but as God said,
crossing his legs,
I see where I have made plenty of poets
but not so very much
poetry."
(from 'To the whore who took my poems')
bukowski is a panacea for all that ails contemporary poetry.
crossing his legs,
I see where I have made plenty of poets
but not so very much
poetry."
(from 'To the whore who took my poems')
bukowski is a panacea for all that ails contemporary poetry.
2 likes · like · see review
Not being a big fan of poetry, I picked up this book because I had Heard Things about Bukowski and was curious. The book has four sections, each a collection from different year brackets. I liked the first and fourth of these sections much more than the middle two. What I find frustrating about poetry persists: when its good, it's hard to say why and when its bad its hard to say why. At least, for someone not "trained" in it. (And even then it all sounds like bull**** to me.) Frankly, the best o...more
One of Bukowski's earlier works. He's much more serious and hasn't quite developed into that vulgar style that's found in his later works. This is probably his only book of poetry that has that semi traditional poetic feeling.
As always, Bukowski bring his rough and beaten soul into the realm of poetry. He was virtually an unknown at the time this book was published. He's trying to feel his way around artistically, not in a way that's lacking but a young strong writer maturing into a solid man of...more
As always, Bukowski bring his rough and beaten soul into the realm of poetry. He was virtually an unknown at the time this book was published. He's trying to feel his way around artistically, not in a way that's lacking but a young strong writer maturing into a solid man of...more
This is broken up into three sections, each from a different chronological span. The 4-star rating is mostly for the last section. I wouldn't consider the first two sections to be his strongest work (except for a couple poems (the one about his father dying is particularly good)). There's just a little too much abstractness and seemingly random imagery for my taste. The last section gets more grounded, more concrete, and overall a little more heartfelt. Definitely a must-read for Bukowski fans,...more
I think Bukowski just sees the world in poems. That's why he writes on everything from specific arguments with women to really trivial shit, like getting the mail. It's sometimes hard to be sure of where Bukowski's brilliance ends and his rambling starts. He says enough to cover the entire spectrum of genius and idiot, though this collection leans much more towards the former. You see an almost depressing decline in the man's hope, as this particular book is broken up by Black Sparrow years. In...more
bukowski is a dirty, old man. he says the most inappropriate comments, shocking and offensive, truthful and dirty. he does not worry what you think or the publisher thinks. he pushes the envelope and goes over the edge. I think his boldness draws me in like no other. His repulsion toward himself bleeds through the lines of his poems. I do suggest you use caution, however. Please read some of his work before you jump on the Bukowski wagon. Many would find his work absolutely repulsive.
Burning In Water, Drowning in Flame was the first book by Bukowski that I ever purchased. I had a read a few of his poems a friends house the night before and loved it. Since, I've read quite a few of his poetry collections and novels. I still think this is one of my favorites though, something about this book just resonates every time I read it. The content on Burning In Water, is heavy in the adult side, but anyone who knows and loves Bukowski is ready for that. In-between the booze and broads...more
Sep 10, 2012
Anne Nikoline
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of Bukowski
Recommended to Anne Nikoline by:
Charles Bukowski
Another of many collected poems, Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame by Charles Bukowski is yet another great collection of thoughts that ran though his head. For me to say something new about this genius of a writer is more or less impossible; he knows his way with words, but does not dwell on a pink and princess like world that makes the women swoon. He is much rather rough but precisely, honest and yet dreamy.
هیچوقت احساس دلتنگی نکردهام. در یک اتاق تنها بودهام. تمایل به خودکشی داشتهام. افسرده بودهام. حالم بد بوده. بدتر از بد. ولی هرگز احساس نکردهام که کسی میتواند از در بیاید و من را از دست دردم خلاص کند.
I thought about just writing a single-word review for this book: Insipid! [I worried that the exclaimation point sounded too "Broadway," but I left it because nobody but nobody would ever put Bukowski on Broadway, (although I can easily see him in an Off-Off Broadway production and wouldn't be surprised if one already existed.)] But that single word, though accurate, doesn't quite encompass all of my ill feelings for this book, this man and his work, and for the veneration they both receive. I'm...more
This a fantastic collection of poems. Charles goes in depth with speaking out on his relationship with his father, lover, and his well known self loathing. With poems like old twins sticking out of this book it's hard not to contemplate your own relationships with family and lover. I beg you to read this collection, you can even borrow mine!
چيزهايي هست خيلي بدتر از تنهايي
اما سالها طول ميكشه تا اين رو بفهمي
وقتي هم آخرسر مي فهمي اش
ديگر خيلي دير شده.
وهيچ چيز بدتر از
خيلي دير نيست.
اما سالها طول ميكشه تا اين رو بفهمي
وقتي هم آخرسر مي فهمي اش
ديگر خيلي دير شده.
وهيچ چيز بدتر از
خيلي دير نيست.
The first 3/4 of this book is strangely reminiscent of beat poetry but the latter half is more classic Bukowski and all of it is good although the beat stuff felt a little forced for some reason. I may be wrong. It may be his best. Who knows
The first few sections of early poems were not as good, but the last section made the book worth reading. "True Story," "Shot of Red-Eye," and "Some People" were my favorites. Other poems I liked: "No Charge," "The Talkers," "Fuzz," "The Workers," "They, All of Them, Know," "The Flower Lover," "Hey, Dolly," the heretical "Yes, Yes," and the strange "The Catch."
My favorite collection of poetry by anyone, anywhere, anytime. For years I would carry this around with me, able to open it up as if for the first time, and just get my head straight. Until, of course, I lent it to someone.
this made me appreciate poetry. love it, love Bukowski. Well actually that's the thing you read him and you hate him cause he's an asshole but he's so beautifully honest about it.
There's so much shit poetry out there.
There's so much shit poetry out there.
Classic Bukowski. What I really enjoyed about this collection is that the reader is able to sample Bukowsi through most of his writing career. A must read for any poetry fan , but especially for fanms of Bukowski.
بوکوفسکی رو دوست ندارم. به نظرم خیلی شلوغش میکنه. گیرم همون چیزی باشه که اون داره میگه. شاید آمریکای بوکوفسکی همچین جای داغونیه. چیزهایی که دربارهی نوشتن و تنهایی میگه رو دوست دارم. اما کلن باید بگردی چیز خوبی پیدا کنی ازش. حتی تو این مجموعه که گزیده اشعارشه. اصلن من با گزیده اشعار کلن مشکل دارم راستش.
همه دنیابه جان هم افتاده اند
همه خشمگین اندومحزون وفریب خورده
هرچه باورشان بوددروغ ازآب درآمد
همه خشمگین اندومحزون وفریب خورده
هرچه باورشان بوددروغ ازآب درآمد
چیزهایی هست خیلی بدتر از تنهایی
اما سال ها طول می کشد تا این را بفهمی
وقتی هم که آخر سر می فهمی اش
دیگر خیلی دیر شده
و هیچ چیز بدتر از خیلی دیر نیست
اما سال ها طول می کشد تا این را بفهمی
وقتی هم که آخر سر می فهمی اش
دیگر خیلی دیر شده
و هیچ چیز بدتر از خیلی دیر نیست
Reading this is like having a massage while eating a cupcake and being kissed all at the same time. I may be biased though...I really love this man.
I was in a van, on tour with my band in 1989 (or was it 90?). We were driving north, from San Francisco, up the coastal highway. We stopped at a roadside gas station and piled out. The shelves there that usually hold motor oil, anti-freeze, and such, held books. Quite a few of them. Our guitarist found a paperback copy of a book by Ed Wood Jr. (wow!) and I found this; Burning In Water, Drowning In Flame. I bought it for two dollars and took it out to the van and opened it up. It was signed and n...more
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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
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“pull a string, a puppet moves ...
each man must realize
that it can all disappear very
quickly:
the cat, the woman, the job,
the front tire,
the bed, the walls, the
room; all our necessities
including love,
rest on foundations of sand --
and any given cause,
no matter how unrelated:
the death of a boy in Hong Kong
or a blizzard in Omaha ...
can serve as your undoing.
all your chinaware crashing to the
kitchen floor, your girl will enter
and you'll be standing, drunk,
in the center of it and she'll ask:
my god, what's the matter?
and you'll answer: I don't know,
I don't know ...”
—
103 people liked it
each man must realize
that it can all disappear very
quickly:
the cat, the woman, the job,
the front tire,
the bed, the walls, the
room; all our necessities
including love,
rest on foundations of sand --
and any given cause,
no matter how unrelated:
the death of a boy in Hong Kong
or a blizzard in Omaha ...
can serve as your undoing.
all your chinaware crashing to the
kitchen floor, your girl will enter
and you'll be standing, drunk,
in the center of it and she'll ask:
my god, what's the matter?
and you'll answer: I don't know,
I don't know ...”
“New Year's Eve always terrifies me.”
—
88 people liked it
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