The Hunchback of East Hollywood : A Biography of Charles Bukowski

Rating:
Summary: picking buk's bones
Review: Another guy who didn't know Bukowski trying to make a quick buck off his corpse. Too bad. A waste of money. Read Bukowski instead. Also, the print is so small you'll need a magnifying glass. Thumbs down. This is the worst of the lot.

Rating:
Summary: interesting info, poorly written
Review: Has a wealth of information on the man behind the myth, but unfortunately the author chose to use far too many similies and metaphors to hammer home certain ideas. Other bios are a better bet. I found myself skimming and skipping through the book as I couldn't stand some of the writing...

Rating:
Summary: Off the mark
Review: With the essential parts of Bukowskis biography covered (first & best) by the man himself, then by Cherkovski and Sounes, there seems little of note left to write of. Well, that's what this surely is...little of note.
This is a "me too!" kind of book with plenty of Malones own personality coming through and no new information. Not what I look for in a biography, especially when some basic details are either skimmed over or completely left out.
As mentioned, the Sounes book is comprehensive and engaging, with the Cherkovski serving some purpose. Even Richmond, Winans and Long had something new to say and found interesting ways in which to say them, although their books don't pretend to be comprehensive biographies.
I've read them all and will continue to read whatever I can on this writer. It's just a shame so much of it is dross.
If you are looking for a great book on Bukowski see Brewers bio/crit. It covers (well) the most essential thing about Bukowski...his written words. Most of the rest is just fluff.

Rating:
Summary: Off the mark
Review: With the essential parts of Bukowskis biography covered (first & best) by the man himself, then by Cherkovski and Sounes, there seems little of note left to write of. Well, that's what this surely is...little of note.
This is a "me too!" kind of book with plenty of Malones own personality coming through and no new information. Not what I look for in a biography, especially when some basic details are either skimmed over or completely left out.
As mentioned, the Sounes book is comprehensive and engaging, with the Cherkovski serving some purpose. Even Richmond, Winans and Long had something new to say and found interesting ways in which to say them, although their books don't pretend to be comprehensive biographies.
I've read them all and will continue to read whatever I can on this writer. It's just a shame so much of it is dross.
If you are looking for a great book on Bukowski see Brewers bio/crit. It covers (well) the most essential thing about Bukowski...his written words. Most of the rest is just fluff.