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Rating: 
Summary: An utter disappointment.
Review: Bukowski did the author of this book a great service by writing about his own life in his stories and poems, because that's the only information the author thought to use in his biography. He read Buk's books, told the real names of the people, put it all in chronological order, and that's it. This book didn't offer a single minor piece of insight into a man whose live I'd like to know more about. If you are looking for a real biography from someone who has actually done their research, I recommend "Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life" by Howard Sounes. That author did his legwork and did created a work that is actually worth something to the reader. So yes, stay as far away as possible from this book, and you will be a more complete person.
Rating: 
Summary: Are these reviews or indictments?
Review: Frankly, not having known or been discussed in this book, I liked it. I wasn't alive (for much of his lifetime) and really, seeing a little more about him (in novel fashion) proved to be fascinating. Bukowski was an American writer. He is shown in this book with his scars, dirty clothes, and kinda lewd persona. He's real from the beginning whereas it took an awful lot of alcohol, etc. until Hemingway was near as (like those of us mortals....) This might not be a critically perfect biography. It might have needed more research, etc. BUT.... speaking form the perspective of an educated general fan, it is worthwhile, though I don't kow if I'd buy it-- the other biography is probably more of a keeper.... This is a good story, though..... Buy the poetry more than any bio. though!!!
Rating:
Summary: Are these reviews or indictments?
Review: Frankly, not having known or been discussed in this book, I liked it. I wasn't alive (for much of his lifetime) and really, seeing a little more about him (in novel fashion) proved to be fascinating. Bukowski was an American writer. He is shown in this book with his scars, dirty clothes, and kinda lewd persona. He's real from the beginning whereas it took an awful lot of alcohol, etc. until Hemingway was near as (like those of us mortals....) This might not be a critically perfect biography. It might have needed more research, etc. BUT.... speaking form the perspective of an educated general fan, it is worthwhile, though I don't kow if I'd buy it-- the other biography is probably more of a keeper.... This is a good story, though..... Buy the poetry more than any bio. though!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Plagued By Buyers Remorse
Review: I suppose I deserve this. I bought this book at the behest of a Barnes and Noble employee. She said it was the best Bukowski biography she's read. Well, I found the book less than agreeable and I am now suffering through a severe case of buyer's remorse. Corporate literati ...strike again. Since I already have Ham On Rye, Post Office, South Of No North, and numerous volumes of Bukowski poetry, this biography really is obsolete. It seems like Cherkovski pasted together snippets of the Bukowski collection, and added some of his own limited insights, placed the whole conglomeration between a cover and shipped it off to market. Anyone who has read even a limited amount of Bukowski's work will find nothing new in this biography. Save your money and purchase Buk's poetry. I recommend Bone Palace Ballet, or The Night Torn Made With Footsteps.
Rating:
Summary: Plagued By Buyers Remorse
Review: I suppose I deserve this. I bought this book at the behest of a Barnes and Noble employee. She said it was the best Bukowski biography she's read. Well, I found the book less than agreeable and I am now suffering through a severe case of buyer's remorse. Corporate literati ...strike again. Since I already have Ham On Rye, Post Office, South Of No North, and numerous volumes of Bukowski poetry, this biography really is obsolete. It seems like Cherkovski pasted together snippets of the Bukowski collection, and added some of his own limited insights, placed the whole conglomeration between a cover and shipped it off to market. Anyone who has read even a limited amount of Bukowski's work will find nothing new in this biography. Save your money and purchase Buk's poetry. I recommend Bone Palace Ballet, or The Night Torn Made With Footsteps.
Rating:
Summary: An utter disappointment.
Review: This is a minor reworking of Cherkovski's earlier book, Hank, the Life of Charles Bukowski, which has been out of print for a while. It's great that this fine book is available again. If you love Bukowski, you will love this book. Cherkovski and Buk were buddies and the intimacy of their relationship informs every word of the text. I'm reading it for the second time right now and loving every page.
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