Bukowski is one of my favorite books.I got to see him in San Pedro he was such a great person, as well as being a writer of perfection.....When the reading was over I went up to him and his wife Linda and asked him to autograph my copy of Post Office.He looked down and began to say he didn't give his autograph out to anyone.His wife whispered in his ear he looked up and immediately said" Oh my God..You look like me in my twenties... " Grabbed my book and signed to my twin! Buk....After I broke up with my wife years later to get revenge on me she burned the book to ashes...........
I love Bukowski’s writing. His texts feels so close, almost like a old, dead relative telling me how things REALLY are. Trying to calm me down, make me understand life. The voice is telling me that it cannot be understood though, but we are in this boat together and we are all gonna die. ”We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn't. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.” Bukowski
Bukowski's greatest work of fiction was himself. He made himself a sort of myth... macho, nihilist alcoholic. He was intense and wrote of intense things, but he had a tender side... a tender side that many of his impersonators overlook.
In 1963 - 1964 I worked at Terminal Annex P.O. in downtown L.A..I encountered Bukowski 2 or 3 times...he wasn't published or famous then but he was an odd- looking dude...he'd be taking the escalator up to the 4th floor city letters...I worked on the 2nd floor...as he came around to ride the escalator up to the next floor, he'd be surrounded by black mail handlers...I think they talked horse racing...Buk had a Racing Form tucked into his back pocket...and a wary look on his face...
This following poem is EXACTLY what i get any time I read Bukowski. Even when I think im the most doomed and worlds biggest fuck up. I can open a book by my favorite "fuck up" and see that even they can make their life their own. Which is greater than any social status our society values. "your life is your life don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission. be on the watch. there are ways out. there is light somewhere. it may not be much light but it beats the darkness. be on the watch. the gods will offer you chances. know them. take them. you can’t beat death but you can beat death in life, sometimes. and the more often you learn to do it, the more light there will be. your life is your life. know it while you have it. you are marvelous the gods wait to delight in you." -- by Charles Bukowski
3:01 - Buk wrote, I think in "Notes", that ginsberg and burroughs "have gone soft", and, probably in the same entry he wrote... ...wait, I found it: "there is only one place to write and that is alone at a typewriter. a writer who has to go into the streets is the writer who does not know the streets", so i guess you are right Buk was genre of his own and wanted to keep distance. 8:20-8:31 - that is so fucking true. :) 13:41 - yeah, i remember reading Ham on rye (here in Serbia they translated it "Bludni sin"), that part where he describes his sadistic father beating the shit out of him for not mowing the lawn, because he didnt cut all the hair. yeah, that kind of thing destroyed him i agree. Great review, as always.
Just recently saw Barfly and am busy reading Ham on Rye which is kind of autobiographical and moving...but like you saw can't really advocate the lifestyle. In Barfly the character Chinaski [Bukowski] says to Tully "... It’s a cage with golden bars.” but why would a cage of alcohol be any better than a cage of golden bars? But putting the lifestyle away he is nevertheless a gritty writer.
I know obviously the "millennial feminists" thing was a joke, but funny enough, a great deal of my feminist friends happen to be Bukowski fans. Who would've guessed?
Yeah there's always the wonderful non-feminist feminists who always seem to manifest during conversations when feminists are being roasted. They are always shadowy and unproven and highly commendable.
Great review! I've read so many books that are funny, because they were REALLY bad. Post Office is really funny in a best possible way and beautiful, also. Bukowskis way of writing tight sentences with a punch like no other was unbelievable when I first came across of his work. Post Office will always be in my top 10 books of all time.
good book read it in high school as a freshman because I had a tutor who saw I had Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He told me the next step for me was to seek the work of Bukowski. Really got into him how he starts Women, good book. soon I finished Women I read Post Office. My favorite though has to be Ham on Rye, a testament to the strength of Bukowski. If I had never read him I would never choose to write myself because reading him taught me you could be honest. I was used to boring young adult books so really opened my eyes.
...he is very much one of his own regarding the impact he got today in krass contrast to all the others and he did almost everything to become not a world-famous writer, but he did! and in that regard he outlived them all...
Stoner, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, and Bukowski. God fucking bless you, Clifford. I'm about to read Nightmare Alley. You're always good for a new book or two.
Love this book! You could argue the writing and the alcoholism both come from the same place - one of shyness and loneliness . Kitchen Confidential is great too, haven't tried any of Bourdain's others though.
This review reminds me of a candle, but, a candle from that Palahniuk segment, Guts. Oh, and your shirt totally reminds me of Lord Varys, also known as Spider, from Game of Thrones!! Very… cool.
Excellent, well done. I've been tempted to get more of his novels, I have this one. Pulp seems to be good, The Most Beautiful Woman in Town is an interesting compilation of short stories. Certainly Notes From A Dirty Old Man is on the list as well. I think you're onto something though, romanticizing the self destructive alcoholic writing style, it is dangerous. Maybe even realizing the beauty in such a prose reveals some sort of predilection within yourself. I haven't decided to plunge head first into the night just because it would give me good writing material, when it's all said and done you end up with terrible experiences and then you have to rely on your literary ineptitude to try and make something out of it, but odds are you're going to drown in the memory of all that darkness and no one will ever care about anything you write about. You come up short-changed and beaten. Not worth it, not yet.
I suggest ham on rye. I think it was his best novel. Pulp was good but nothing like classic Bukowski. Also factotum and women are very very good, but ham on rye is the best
Copy that, thanks! I obviously love his poetry but its coming to the point where I'll pick up one of his poetic compilations and I've already read about 80% of whats in that book I don't have yet. Moving on to unexplored Bukowski regions here.
Great review, I have a lot of love for this book! Also, I'd just want to ask if you'd consider reviewing Hans Bellmer's "The Doll" (Die Puppe) Though he isn't for everyone and he certainly scares the shit out of me. Thanks...
fucking love your reviews man, I am a huge Bukowski fan, he is to me what Fante was to him, except he met Fante and was his friend, but Bukowski is just my friend from a distance.
If you like your Bukowski there's his 1987 movie *Barfly* which is just fabulous! (Something of a secret gem) - With Mickey Rooney and Faye Dunaway, both on genuine top form........Even Chuck himself is in it! ....And there's just SO many quotable lines! (He did write the script, after all) And best of all, it's been uploaded in full for free onto UA-cam: ua-cam.com/video/nYF3q1KCZnM/v-deo.html
Just so ya know.. That insider information about Barbet Schroeder with the saw, that's all written in Bukowski's book Hollywood. Hilarious scene, but yeah not any insider or behind the scene info.
@@ilqar887 Don't try by Bukowski means you dont need to make impression towards others. Just be authentic without needing confirmation and appreciation from others. This is freedom and I suppose that Bukowski meant this by the quote Don't try.
Agreed... I think a lot of self-destructive authors are romanticized because they write nice and validate misery with such eloquence. The writing is good but that doesn’t validate self-destruction and self-pity imo
Been watching your videos off an on for the past couple of days after finding the Cendrars review and loving them very similar taste as mine. Im sure your book list is long but you will absolutely love kaus kinski's autobiography. It's incredibly ridiculous.
wish that cliff still made his reviews a little drunk lol upgrade: actually not hahahaaha but i do like that he gets a little more personal. ps: very dark the post office stories of his life
No sane man of intelligence will plead for a religion on the grounds that it is better than nothing. It is not better than nothing if it is not true. Truth is better than anything or all things. -Ambrose Bierce, 1842-1914
love your work keep it up man. watching this because a friend loves Bukowski. Hmmm... you know what , because a man has an advanced poetic sensibility and a real authenticity and descriptive capability, does not make him or his content admirable. a narcissistic alcoholic hedonist. not to be admired pedestaled or seen as a mentor role model in any way. This is A Big problem in our modern tech world with its ridiculous cult of personality thread . Exposure does not equal substance. Poor bastard. Fucked up big time .
I always just assumed you lived in new york. I don't even know why. Whenever I think of LA. I picture everybody being so fucking positive all the time. I'm being ignorant here.
Bukowski is one of my favorite books.I got to see him in San Pedro he was such a great person, as well as being a writer of perfection.....When the reading was over I went up to him and his wife Linda and asked him to autograph my copy of Post Office.He looked down and began to say he didn't give his autograph out to anyone.His wife whispered in his ear he looked up and immediately said" Oh my God..You look like me in my twenties... " Grabbed my book and signed to my twin! Buk....After I broke up with my wife years later to get revenge on me she burned the book to ashes...........
Ouch
That’s such a Bukowski anecdote, through and through!
Thats literally the most Bukowski shit that couldve happen to you, fck the autograph
"highly recommended for millennial feminists"
If I didn't think I could love you anymore I was proven wrong.
I love Bukowski’s writing. His texts feels so close, almost like a old, dead relative telling me how things REALLY are. Trying to calm me down, make me understand life. The voice is telling me that it cannot be understood though, but we are in this boat together and we are all gonna die.
”We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn't. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.” Bukowski
Just how the witiko intended
Bukowski's greatest work of fiction was himself. He made himself a sort of myth... macho, nihilist alcoholic. He was intense and wrote of intense things, but he had a tender side... a tender side that many of his impersonators overlook.
J. Cloyd I think his poem, Bluebird shows this dichotomy nicely.
this. I just read "The days run away like wild horses over the hills" about his first love. Moved me.
J. Cloyd not very nice to other when he was drunk.
He wasn't a total nihilist because he covers beautiful poems of strange feelings of hope
@@bngr_bngr naturally. most people aren't.
In 1963 - 1964 I worked at Terminal Annex P.O. in downtown L.A..I encountered Bukowski 2 or 3 times...he wasn't published or famous then but he was an odd- looking dude...he'd be taking the escalator up to the 4th floor city letters...I worked on the 2nd floor...as he came around to ride the escalator up to the next floor, he'd be surrounded by black mail handlers...I think they talked horse racing...Buk had a Racing Form tucked into his back pocket...and a wary look on his face...
Hilarious, meaningful writing that's easier to read than breathing.
Excellent description.
This following poem is EXACTLY what i get any time I read Bukowski. Even when I think im the most doomed and worlds biggest fuck up. I can open a book by my favorite "fuck up" and see that even they can make their life their own. Which is greater than any social status our society values.
"your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you."
-- by Charles Bukowski
When I was working for the Canadian Post Office my boss was also "Mr. Stone". He died at something like 32.
3:01 - Buk wrote, I think in "Notes", that ginsberg and burroughs "have gone soft", and, probably in the same entry he wrote... ...wait, I found it: "there is only one place to write and that is alone at a typewriter. a writer who has to go into the streets is the writer who does not know the streets", so i guess you are right Buk was genre of his own and wanted to keep distance.
8:20-8:31 - that is so fucking true. :)
13:41 - yeah, i remember reading Ham on rye (here in Serbia they translated it "Bludni sin"), that part where he describes his sadistic father beating the shit out of him for not mowing the lawn, because he didnt cut all the hair. yeah, that kind of thing destroyed him i agree.
Great review, as always.
Interesting perspective.
Still my favorite review of this book. A great introduction to the sad and hilarious and sometimes beautiful work of Bukowski. Well done Clifford.
The only book I’ve ever read cover to cover in one sitting
"Never could stand that dog..." - 'Frank's Wild Years' ~ Tom
Just recently saw Barfly and am busy reading Ham on Rye which is kind of autobiographical and moving...but like you saw can't really advocate the lifestyle. In Barfly the character Chinaski [Bukowski] says to Tully "... It’s a cage with golden bars.” but why would a cage of alcohol be any better than a cage of golden bars? But putting the lifestyle away he is nevertheless a gritty writer.
I know obviously the "millennial feminists" thing was a joke, but funny enough, a great deal of my feminist friends happen to be Bukowski fans. Who would've guessed?
Bukowski was anti-feminist.
Yeah there's always the wonderful non-feminist feminists who always seem to manifest during conversations when feminists are being roasted.
They are always shadowy and unproven and highly commendable.
Great review! I've read so many books that are funny, because they were REALLY bad. Post Office is really funny in a best possible way and beautiful, also. Bukowskis way of writing tight sentences with a punch like no other was unbelievable when I first came across of his work. Post Office will always be in my top 10 books of all time.
good book read it in high school as a freshman because I had a tutor who saw I had Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He told me the next step for me was to seek the work of Bukowski. Really got into him how he starts Women, good book. soon I finished Women I read Post Office. My favorite though has to be Ham on Rye, a testament to the strength of Bukowski. If I had never read him I would never choose to write myself because reading him taught me you could be honest. I was used to boring young adult books so really opened my eyes.
I never connected Waits to Bukowski, and I see that now. Thanks! It adds a lot for me w both artists.
will you ever review "Ham on rye"?
No. Will he fuck.
is this about Tom waits or bukowski?
...he is very much one of his own regarding the impact he got today in krass contrast to all the others and he did almost everything to become not a world-famous writer, but he did! and in that regard he outlived them all...
Actual book review starts at 5:10
Just starting reading "Hitler" by Ian Kershaw. Wondering if you've considered reviewing a biography of a dictator?
Loved POST OFFICE, but as an 18 year old I connected much more with HAM ON RYE. Bukowski’s just a voice for all ages, ain’t he?
Stoner, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, and Bukowski. God fucking bless you, Clifford. I'm about to read Nightmare Alley. You're always good for a new book or two.
You must be reading my mind! That's like the third book in a row I think and it's instantly turned into one of your videos
Not only am I reading your mind - I'm reviewing it.
One of my favorite poems I've ever read is bukowski "how to be a great writer" answers your final question.
Love this book! You could argue the writing and the alcoholism both come from the same place - one of shyness and loneliness . Kitchen Confidential is great too, haven't tried any of Bourdain's others though.
if I ever met a woman that likes Bukowski I would stay the fuck away
Why don't you review more poetry? :(
I worked at a bookstore and post office at the same time (at the same place). Imagine.
Have you tried any Raymond Carver?
Also, have you considered filming a "tour" of your book collection?
aw I love Raymond Carver his short stories are amazing
About 2/3 the way through The Savage Detectives, thinking it might be time for BTF to return to Bolaño
Oh man... I love the NO NO NO NO NO!!!! part. So funny!
You really gotta watch the extras man...
www.maven.video/c/cliff-sargent/rk42Dne3
This review reminds me of a candle, but, a candle from that Palahniuk segment, Guts. Oh, and your shirt totally reminds me of Lord Varys, also known as Spider, from Game of Thrones!! Very… cool.
I gave an actual cheer upon hearing the name of Tom Waits! I'd never heard anything like this persepctive before; I like it.
Put the cup down man...... holy shit! That coke had to be boiling from the heat of your hand!
THIS BOOK STARTED IT ALL......ME LOVING READING..POEMS...NOVELS.....THANK U !!! LOVE IT!!! AWWWESUM!!!!!
Excellent, well done. I've been tempted to get more of his novels, I have this one. Pulp seems to be good, The Most Beautiful Woman in Town is an interesting compilation of short stories. Certainly Notes From A Dirty Old Man is on the list as well. I think you're onto something though, romanticizing the self destructive alcoholic writing style, it is dangerous. Maybe even realizing the beauty in such a prose reveals some sort of predilection within yourself. I haven't decided to plunge head first into the night just because it would give me good writing material, when it's all said and done you end up with terrible experiences and then you have to rely on your literary ineptitude to try and make something out of it, but odds are you're going to drown in the memory of all that darkness and no one will ever care about anything you write about. You come up short-changed and beaten. Not worth it, not yet.
I suggest ham on rye. I think it was his best novel. Pulp was good but nothing like classic Bukowski. Also factotum and women are very very good, but ham on rye is the best
Copy that, thanks! I obviously love his poetry but its coming to the point where I'll pick up one of his poetic compilations and I've already read about 80% of whats in that book I don't have yet. Moving on to unexplored Bukowski regions here.
"highly recommended for millennial feminists" is all the convincing I needed
Great review, I have a lot of love for this book!
Also, I'd just want to ask if you'd consider reviewing Hans Bellmer's "The Doll" (Die Puppe)
Though he isn't for everyone and he certainly scares the shit out of me.
Thanks...
Great rec!!
yes! one of my favourite books. Funniest shit, classic bukowski style. "Jonstone liked to wear "dark-red shirts - that meant danger and blood"
I recommend for bukowski "The Flash of lightning behind the Mountain" old man reflection, it's great. on my phone cant edit
if u like Bukowski..have u possibly red "and the ass saw the angel" by Nick Cave? Its pretty good..
fucking love your reviews man, I am a huge Bukowski fan, he is to me what Fante was to him, except he met Fante and was his friend, but Bukowski is just my friend from a distance.
If you like your Bukowski there's his 1987 movie *Barfly* which is just fabulous! (Something of a secret gem)
- With Mickey Rooney and Faye Dunaway, both on genuine top form........Even Chuck himself is in it! ....And there's just SO many quotable lines! (He did write the script, after all)
And best of all, it's been uploaded in full for free onto UA-cam: ua-cam.com/video/nYF3q1KCZnM/v-deo.html
Weak, I dunno . Bukowski is certainly one of the most sensitive souls . A delicate flower to me.
im a poet, a polaK, no a poet hes the poet, im the poet
Have you read Bukowski's poem collection The Days Run Away Like Wild Horses Over The Hills?
Last night of the earth poems...his best
Just so ya know.. That insider information about Barbet Schroeder with the saw, that's all written in Bukowski's book Hollywood. Hilarious scene, but yeah not any insider or behind the scene info.
If you don't mind my asking, what small town in Oregon are you from? I am also from a small town in Oregon, and I'm just curious.
St. helens / Astoria
Better Than Food: Book Reviews Thanks! I'm really liking your reviews man!
Yesss been wanting this lol Great review
Everyone in the comments trying to write so poetically lol
almost transparent blue by ryu murakami please
bukowski was a real genius i dont find anyone who can touch him at all
My favourite of his (followed closely by 'Women').
Quote"Don't try" by Bukowski. The best advice ever!
What do you get from don't try
@@ilqar887 Don't try by Bukowski means you dont need to make impression towards others. Just be authentic without needing confirmation and appreciation from others. This is freedom and I suppose that Bukowski meant this by the quote Don't try.
siren at the end was perfect
I just checked out Maven. You're right, it is dope. Great review per usual.
i dont want to have any other persons personality but kafka and bukowski have influenced to me that level
12:00 Thank you for informing me about this. I love you !!
I love tom waits and Charles bukowski
Was wondering when you'd get around to this one, Cliff.
Agreed... I think a lot of self-destructive authors are romanticized because they write nice and validate misery with such eloquence. The writing is good but that doesn’t validate self-destruction and self-pity imo
Yes it does. It validates it big time.
@@seagullpoet you’re right og
and tropic of cancer or tropic of cancer of henry miller i can't rememeber happen in a post office
why are your tshirts so cool? where do you get them from?
I just was going to ask that. I need that shirt!
www.etsy.com/uk/transaction/1180680835
Doesn't work on my end :/
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/180905007/acephale-georges-bataille-t-shirt
Are you interested in Goethe?
Oh your tee! The Acéphale figure. You're definitely a Bataille boy!
Just wait
ever reviewed Barfly, the movie? its gud....
You were a little lit in this one, and its only right.
I saw a performance of Bukowski On Ice.
Michael Shier do it better kiddo.
Been watching your videos off an on for the past couple of days after finding the Cendrars review and loving them very similar taste as mine. Im sure your book list is long but you will absolutely love kaus kinski's autobiography. It's incredibly ridiculous.
Oh man...Gotta read, thanks for the rec
+Better Than Food: Book Reviews Just happy people have similar interests. Keep posting, I'll keep watching. PERSEVERANCE.
Fuck Yeah
Yes.
lol. my grandfather was a post master in oregon too
Cant wait to read it. I come from Cree territory
wish that cliff still made his reviews a little drunk lol
upgrade: actually not hahahaaha but i do like that he gets a little more personal.
ps: very dark the post office stories of his life
Love Swordfishtrombones!! The Black Rider is my personal favorite. But I love all of his 80's and early 90's stuff.
you made me want to pick up books again
No sane man of intelligence will plead for a religion
on the grounds that it is better than nothing.
It is not better than nothing if it is not true.
Truth is better than anything or all things.
-Ambrose Bierce, 1842-1914
Damn, two of my favorites in a row.
An Acephale Tshirt... its coming!! ;)
Yes - it really, really is.
Ulisses. James joyce. Tá coberto.
Great review as always!
do Zettel's Traum next
love your work keep it up man. watching this because a friend loves Bukowski. Hmmm... you know what , because a man has an advanced poetic sensibility and a real authenticity and descriptive capability, does not make him or his content admirable. a narcissistic alcoholic hedonist. not to be admired pedestaled or seen as a mentor role model in any way. This is A Big problem in our modern tech world with its ridiculous cult of personality thread . Exposure does not equal substance. Poor bastard. Fucked up big time .
you forgot Céline major influence ..
yes, and Hamsun. Hunger.
I always just assumed you lived in new york. I don't even know why. Whenever I think of LA. I picture everybody being so fucking positive all the time. I'm being ignorant here.
New york is entirely $$. Nothing but $$, shitting out of every pore. LA it's still possible to do shit without a bunch of money.
Good to know. Have a wonderful day, then!
its about time.
funniest book i have read.
Post Office ist einfach genial!
Ham on Rye ... da best.
Buk was a beat unto himself
Film review yesterday and book review today? What is going on here?
Productivity.
who is this guy
Great stuff - same taste in lit as me, us - love buk - love henry miller even more - but great review! cheers -
21:56
Loved this book! One of my favorites. Oh, and for everyone whos interested: ua-cam.com/video/uWSg1z0hzjs/v-deo.html What Cliff was talking about.
Fucking awesome review, mate.
“Recommended for millennial feminists” oh boy 😂
Yeeeesssss!!!!
At the risk of going against the grain and seeming very unfashionable, Bukowski always was, is and will be - over rated.
"Highly recommend for millennial feminists." Hahah. Nice one.