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 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