James’s Reviews > Hollywood > Status Update

I was weary of this book in the beginning. It seemed like a lot of subtle bragging and bullshit. Then I read on and realized this is a semi-fictional retelling of how Bukowskis screen play "Barfly" was written and eventually turned into a movie. What interests me in the most in this book are the alternate names he gives to actual people- like Jack Bledsoe is really Mickey Rourke. Francine Bowers is Faye Dunaway, etc.

I guess this book is starting to get good...I didn't realize in the beginning that this is a partially fictionalized version of the events surrounding the production of Bukowski's movie "Barfly". Apparently one of the producers brought a black and decker buzz-saw to a lawyers office and threatened to chop his finger off if the movie wasn't made. The book has gotten better- but i'm anxious to finish it.

this one's not really doing for me like "Pulp" did, so far. Really wish they had Ham on Rye... not the sandwich, the book

this book, so far- has not been as great as "Pulp". This is only my second novel by Bukowski- was and still am a huge fan of his poetry/prose- but his novel style is good too. I just can't get into this one as much as I could Pulp.... eh. I'll keep reading. maybe it'll get better