Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame
by Charles Bukowski
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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 veneratio...more
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Read in December, 2005
recommends it for:
coffee drinkers
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 ...more
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Read in September, 2007
When my friend loaned me this book he said, "A lot of people claim that Bukowski's poems are misogynistic. You'll have to let me know what you think." I won't tell you my conclusion, but I will tell you I found many of his poems to be incredibly raw and gritty. Some of the poems that moved me the most:
"hooray for the roses", "the race", "the singular self", "love fame and death", "the talkers", "grass", and "machine g...more
"hooray for the roses", "the race", "the singular self", "love fame and death", "the talkers", "grass", and "machine g...more
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Read in February, 2008
this man seems to be an amazing writer version of me....
except that i wouldnt go to that many whorehouses and i really really disagree with the word buttocks from a mostly aesthetic level.
he pretty much rules.
"there'll always be money and whores and drunkards
down to the last bomb,
but as God said,
crossing his legs,
I see where I have made plenty of poets
but not so very much
poetry."
except that i wouldnt go to that many whorehouses and i really really disagree with the word buttocks from a mostly aesthetic level.
he pretty much rules.
"there'll always be money and whores and drunkards
down to the last bomb,
but as God said,
crossing his legs,
I see where I have made plenty of poets
but not so very much
poetry."
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Picked this up at the Strand in NYC. Great Collection and my introduction to Bukowski. It has a really great orange no frills cover and is very appealing. great book to leave around to impress those browsing your coffee table, because of the cover and the type face. I think an ex-girlfriend has my copy, I just remember that now, and I miss that orange cover, not to mention the poems and I want it back.
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Read in January, 1988
recommended to Bruce by:
Ericrecommends it for: Everyone
Perhaps my fave collection, this covers the earliest period of Charles' poetic efforts. The poems are clear, and theres an urgency that is lacking in later books of verse.
I actually had a copy of "Crucifix In A Deathhand" in my house, and my cousin saw it, and put it in the special collections at the library- that was a beauty of a book.
I actually had a copy of "Crucifix In A Deathhand" in my house, and my cousin saw it, and put it in the special collections at the library- that was a beauty of a book.
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Read in January, 1995
recommends it for:
poets and non-poets alike
This is the first Bukowski book I ever read, and still my favorite. His poetry was so unconventional, and unlike anything I'd read before. Poetry for the everyman... It really struck a chord with me and helped influence my own style of writing. Abrasive and beautiful at the same time
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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.
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Read in October, 2000
God, lines from the poems in this book are like cats who remain by my side circling my ankles and rubbing against my legs and that occasionally leap up into the lap of my mouth to fill it in moments when I'm speechless. I love, love, love this book.
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when my friend josh died, i read was selected to speak at his funeral. i looked through dozens of books of poetry, and landed on a poem from this book as an epitaph. still holds a special place in my heart if for no other reason than that.
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Read in January, 2001
"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.
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Read in March, 2006
I really don't care for poetry very much, but this book really shows off Bukowski on a level that more people could tolerate. If all you have heard about is how vulgar Bukowski is try this book and will change your mind.
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a lot of these poems were just about booze and whores, but there were still some profound ones in between. he likes to teeter between straightforward and metaphoric a lot, too. an interesting and quick read.
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recommends it for:
not the faint of heart
Bukowski would hate that this was even in my book list, among all my sweet and sorrowful sentimental others. But he has hung around in my library for a many years.
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recommended to Gary by:
Orange is my favorite color...and the title's great.
recommends it for: Rob Cloutier
recommends it for: Rob Cloutier
My favorite Bukowski with my favorite Bukowski poem, "Letter from too far". This was our text for "Bukowski Hour" at night, sophomore year in college.
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Read in June, 2002
recommends it for:
everyone
This is why Buk is so inimitable: he will suddenly say something achingly beautiful in the middle of a poem about vomiting while hung over. Jeesh.
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This is in my top three Bukowski books of poems. It's the one I go back to when I just need to read some poetry. Very effortless to read.
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I've read this book at least five times and somehow it never gets old. It makes you want to read it with a drink tho, so beware!
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charles bukowski is fucked up and awesome. some of my favorite all time lines of poetry—and anything—in here.
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Read in January, 1993
The poem 2 p.m. beer sums up what I was during my drinking days. Bukowski at his best.
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