I’ve read excerpts from Cherkovski’s “Hank” but it comes off as very amateur. I’m looking for my next writing project and wondering why there isn’t an in depth, professional bio of him yet, he’s obviously very popular and it’s been 30 years.
Is there a good biography of Buk? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter FallinMontreal
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It's not easy to write a biography of Charles Bukowski and it's even more difficult to write his definitive biography (too many stuff to write about).
I enjoyed reading Buk's biography by Howard Sounes, and I think it's worth trying David Callone's book (unfortunately I haven't read it yet, though).
I reckon you'll have to read a lot of different books about Bukowski, and a lot of his stuff (above all) to get the whole picture.
I enjoyed reading Buk's biography by Howard Sounes, and I think it's worth trying David Callone's book (unfortunately I haven't read it yet, though).
I reckon you'll have to read a lot of different books about Bukowski, and a lot of his stuff (above all) to get the whole picture.
Agreed it wouldn’t be easy, but are there any difficulties specific to Buk? I mean bios are written all the time, some about people that haven’t been alive for a century+
I think there are: he was very secluded and very prolific at the same time. Besides, he was a complicated person.
Then again, which person isn't complicated, right?
I'd say most of the stuff one needs to get to know who Charles Bukowski was and what he did is already out there and one has "just" to read it all. It would be a gargantuan enterprise to put all that in a single book, I guess.
Btw, did your read the Sounes book? I think it's at least a good starting point to get to grips with Bukowski.
Buk didn't like it either. I thought the first half was OK, but the second half was a sappy disaster.
Locked in the arms of a crazy life by Howard Sounes
www.goodreads.com
But as to insight in to the writer, I like Scarlett by Pamela Miller- lot of involvement from a few key members of this Forum really makes this book interesting https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8391644-charles-bukowski-s-scarlet
Pamela Miller (Cupcakes) put some interesting stuff in book as to Bukowski reading habits, his ambition to be a writer, and his profundity in conversation.
Charles Bukowski: Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life
A former postman and long-term alcoholic who did not be…
But as to insight in to the writer, I like Scarlett by Pamela Miller- lot of involvement from a few key members of this Forum really makes this book interesting https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8391644-charles-bukowski-s-scarlet
Pamela Miller (Cupcakes) put some interesting stuff in book as to Bukowski reading habits, his ambition to be a writer, and his profundity in conversation.
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I’ve read parts of the Sounes bio, like the other one it seemed amateurish but it was a while ago so worth a second look perhaps
The issue is "The Bukowski Myth", which he created himself to portray an image of himself that was only partially true -- aka Chinaski. If you want to hear it straight from the man himself, check out SUNLIGHT HERE I AM -- a large collection of Bukowski interviews. If you like that, get the Letters books.
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