Charles Bukowski a Sure Bet: A Sure Bet

Rating:
Summary: Two Poets
Review: Charles Bukowski, Gerald Locklin, two almost household names in the poetry small press. Who came first? Why does it matter? Each was, or is, unique in his approach to the written word. Bukowski liked to drink, to play the horses, to write, but that was not the totality of the poet or the man. Readers seems to expect miracles from authors/poets and artists. The truth is through, and under, all that talent lies the human persona which colors their work. One can be a slacker who boozes, but has a way with words, the other can be a University professor for over 20 years, is dedicated to teaching youthful minds while still trying to pursue his own writing talents and muse. Poets and writers are not always bosom friends, not always drinking buddies, but on occasion, they meet, light a few fires, share a few incidences, then go along their own pathways. Bukowski and Locklin were like that...their paths crossed. Gerald Locklin tells his tale through poems and short essays. This is a gem. This is history in the small poetry press. This book is life and those who buy, then read Charles Bukowski: A Sure Bet by Gerald Locklin with an open, receptive mind will mine word-gems. Though I am a book and periodical publisher, and an editor, I am certainly willing to buy Locklin's books. They are a treasured part of my own library. Thanks, Gerald, for a very good read!

Rating:
Summary: Hack on Hank
Review: Gerald Locklin has the dubious distinction of writing the first "book" on Bukowski after his death. The whole book reads like a quickie for profit job. In fact most of it was written while Buk was alive. There are letters and attempts at poetry by this "hack professor" mascrading as Buk's close friend. Don't waste your $25.00 on this book. Instead buy Gay Brewer's (also an academic) book on Bukowski which is by far the best book written on the subject so far (June 2000).

Rating:
Summary: Slim and overpriced but with a few gems
Review: The Bukowski bandwagon keeps rolling along. Everybody and his drinking pals are coming out with memoirs of the great man. If only they would stick to Bukowski and keep themselves out of it. Bukowski fans are hardly concerned with Locklin's habits, penchants and foibles. It ranks with Richmond's "Spinning Off Bukowski" and Cherkovski's "Hank" as self-promoting and self-justifying hack writing posing as literature.

The harsh words above are mitigated by the realisation that without the above mentioned authors we would know less about Bukowski. These guys knew him and most of us didn't. To the next colleague/crony/admirer/detractor etc. who comes out with yet another hastily put together fast-buck book please stick to Bukowski and leave yourselves in the background where you belong.

Readers are advised to look at the Sounes biography "LOCKED IN THE ARMS OF A CRAZY LIFE" for the best appraisal of Bukovski's life and work. It is ironic that Sounes never met Bukowski and yet his book is the best.