Rating: 
Summary: the way writing should be
Review: Charles Bukowski was a genius, and this book for me epitomizes great writing. Succinct and to the point, honest and thought-provoking, without any of the superfluous window-dressing that most writers tend to clutter their work with. It tells the story of the author's childhood, growing up in Los Angeles under the roof of an abusive father and an uncaring mother, in a world that utterly rejects him at every turn. It is kind of a walk down memory lane, albeit a rather painful one. Bukowski's characteristic stark and direct style is in full evidence here, and it works to magnificent effect. This book describes the formative years of a man who rose from the depths of oppression and alcoholism and depression and a thousand dingy roominghouses and seedy bars and hardened whores to become one of the most celebrated writers of our time, soul intact. After I read this book, I sat down at the computer and started writing myself for the first time (and haven't stopped since) - it was that influential. There have been many imitators but there was only one Bukowski. He was a visionary talent who revolutionized both prose and (in particular) poetry, in a passionate and sometimes almost violent attempt to bring the art of writing down from its traditional perch in the clouds and deliver it directly to the masses, honestly and without pretense. The tale told in this book will make you laugh out loud, will make you cry, will make you want to scream with redemption, because here is someone who is telling it like it is, without thought of consequence or effect, spilling his mind and his guts out on the page for everyone to see. But most of all, like the life of the man himself, it should inspire you to tackle your own life with renewed vigor. This is my favorite book from my favorite author - I couldn't recommend a book more.
Rating: 
Summary: A Worthy Purchase!
Review: This is truly a remarkable work of literature. In Ham On Rye Charles Bukowski has given a voice to that dysfunctional child in all of us. His recollections of growing up poor, with only a few misfit friends, paint a picture that I'm sure many of us can relate to. This book, however looses its charm when Mr. Chinaski graduates from high school. That is why I must review this book in two parts. The first part being timeless tale of an unhappy youth that speaks out to any one who grew up dysfunctional. And the second part, being a tale of a disillusioned young man fighting avoiding direction, that will only appeal to true Bukowski fans.I truly feel that the first part of Ham On Rye should be required reading for high school students. It recounts the tale of Henry Chinaski, from his earliest memories until his graduation from high school. Henry may have grown up during the great depression, but the book focuses on his feelings and interactions with the people around him. Henry relates the tale of the unhappy child. His is the story of the kid who was left out. The child who grew up watching all of the pretty, happy kids, and learned to deal with it. All in all, it's a great book to have, a book you'll want to dip into again and again. Worth buying. Another quick Amazon pick is The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, about another misfit and unlucky writer, obviously influenced by Bukowski's work (not to mention Kerouac's). Happy Holidays everyone! Let's hope for a great new year!
Rating:
Summary: the best
Review: Charles Bukowski was the greatest writer of the late 2oth century. i would still probably be a writer if i had never discovered the works of Charles Bukowski but i wouldn't be as good of one.
Rating: 
Summary: an entertaining page turner, but nothing more
Review: i don't know why Bukowski is so popular. sure, he writes simply without any affectation, and all the scatological humor has probably gained him a huge following in the 15-25 yr. old demographic, but apart from that, there's nothing here that makes you go WOW! i guess in bukowski's world, the truth is always disgusting and disturbing, and the individual must plod ahead through the chaos of filth and decay if he is to discover anything meaningful. well, that's a good philosophy, but honestly, making references to crap, masturbation, etc. does get repetitive after a while. and why is this edition so big and expensive? seriously, this book could have been condensed into a smaller and cheaper two hundred page volume. this book definitely ain't worth sixteen bucks.
Rating:
Summary: Funny
Review: This is the funniest books I have ever read. Bukowski knows where it is at and knows what to do. Just read.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe his best book
Review: This is a fictional memoir, or 'portrait of the artist as a young dog.' This is a very smoothly written book recounting his early years, his bout with a humiliating skin condition that scarred his face, his abusive father. Read this book right before Post Office, which is a kind of follow up ten years later. I truly enjoyed this novel and I like Charles Bukowski more than ever! Other cool books: Post Office, Factotum by Buk, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez
Rating:
Summary: heartbreaking and beautiful
Review: This is my favorite novel by one of my favorite writers. Anyone who has ever read anything by Charles Bukowski knows that he pulls no punches, spilling his guts about his gin-soaked, skid-row life with brutal honesty, humor, and vulgar wit. In Ham on Rye, however, he reveals much more than his adult misadventures. He describes in devastating detail his childhood and adolescence, and after reading it, it is painfully obvious why he would feel the need to spend so much of his life numbing himself with alcohol. This novel truly reveals the pain, sensitivity, hurt and need hiding beneath the macho, crass exterior so many of his readers fell in love with. If he were still alive, I'd be tempted to track him down just to give him a hug.
Rating:
Summary: Not everyone likes getting doused with cold water
Review: I dont. Bukowski holds you straight and forces you to experience it all. Thankfully a lot of its funny, he's quite generous.
I'm glad Bukowski got a lot of acclaim before he died he deserved it.
Rating:
Summary: Should be taught in school!
Review: What the hell is wrong with this world? I realized that I am angry, angry at someone, at our schools maybe, at my folk's maybe, at Oprah and Presidents and, well the truth is, that I don't have the energy to be angry. I would rather just do something else. But still, why didn't anyone tell me about this guy. This Bukowski, this dirt-bag, this wretch, this most human of humans, unashamed, marked with the scars of life, and pushing through one-way or another. English class would have changed colors if I knew, it would have turned things upside down, or maybe I was not ready then. There is life going on here, real life, Bukowski saw it, filthy, hard, cruel, unrelenting life, and everything else is just a comfy pillow to rest your frightened head on. But once you accept that, then there are other things, there is the surfing grain of maple wood, and the stray dog, two steps shy of death, he doesn't want food, he wants...love? Who knows? There is pain and suffering, and that one perfect moment that opens on you every once in a while and turns your head and makes you breath again. Those are the tricks. Perhaps I am too enthusiastic, or not clever enough to be even, but this guy is a prince. He knows how to make a line pop. He knows how to lay it down, straight, clean and steady. No 'bs', and the story really moves. It'll take you a day to read it, unless Entertainment Tonight gets in the way, they know what is best anyway, so mark the page, and come back later, it's probably better that way. I don't want to try and be like him, but I am searching for my own muse, and in this man, in this story, I found some sort of kindred spirit. On some level, there is in him, what is in me, and what is in many people I assume (forgive me if I am wrong) a simple amazement at what is going on, good or bad. Its a story about a kid, Henry Chinaski, a double for Bukowski essentially, and a character in many of his works. This kid has it rough and rough again, and so does everyone else. He does not ask or expect, he is different, and knows it, and it's his story. I would love to see the looks on the faces of people when they read this. READ THIS BOOK! Also recommended: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This book is simpley written, which is it's beauty. It's rare that you can come across a book written with so much feeling. This book revolves around alcoholism, violence, and carries a tone of never being able to overcome insurmmountable odds. Though I don't idolize Bukowski, I have to give him credit for being able to write a compelling novel. I heavily recommend Post Office, Factotum, and Women as well.
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