Charles Bukowski

Questions About Charles Bukowski

by Barry Miles

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why is the work of sexist abusive people keeps getting republished?
Chris Topher What would you suggest? Would you rather it all be erased and we pretend stuff like this never happens? What brand of rose colored glasses should we w…moreWhat would you suggest? Would you rather it all be erased and we pretend stuff like this never happens? What brand of rose colored glasses should we wear when we read your approved list of authors?


I think that, in your rush to reject the harsh world Bukowski wrote about, you have completely missed the moral of his stories--and yes, there is a moral in his stories, as lacking in morals as his characters are.

To me, Bukowski works because, while his writing shows what it is like to live at the bottom, among the dregs of society where everything and everyone are as bad as they can get, he shows that you can go on for another day.

To say stuff like this shouldn't be published is to both ignore the fact that yes, people do indeed live like this and, as Bukowski shows, you can survive another day whether you want to or not.

You should read some of his poetry. Try "The Shoelace" if you want a clearer idea of what Bukowski was writing about. Also, "Democracy" "Putrefaction" and "Something's Knocking at the Door" show another side that doesn't come across in his "Chinaski" character.
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