Charles Bukowski (Critical Lives) - Softcover

Calonne, David Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780230230 ISBN 13: 9781780230238

Publisher: Reaktion Books, 2012

Synopsis

Poet, short-story writer, and novelist Charles Bukowski (1920–94) was once called by Time a “laureate of American lowlife.” In this new interpretation of his life and work, David Stephen Calonne examines the creation and originality of Bukowski’s writings through the lens of his colorful life, the literary traditions that influenced him, and his unique place in world literature. Calonne describes how Bukowski, who was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States at the age of three, was influenced by German literary and intellectual traditions. He shows how the writer’s traumatic childhood—his abusive father, social withdrawal, and early introduction to alcohol—influenced the themes and content of his work. Calonne also explores several unknown pieces of fiction and poetry from the early years of Bukowski’s career, as well as his major works—including Post Office and the poetry volumes published by Black Sparrow Press—and biographical films such as Barfly. Comprehensive but concise, Charles Bukowski will find a wide audience in fans of this prolific, influential figure and provide a valuable introduction to his new admirers.

About this title

About the Author:

David Stephen Calonne is the author of William Saroyan: My Real Work Is Being and Bebop Buddhist Ecstasy: Saroyan’s Influence on Kerouac and the Beats, and he has edited several Bukowski titles, including More Notes of a Dirty Old Man.

Review:

“David Stephen Calonne is a Bukowski scholar and this highly readable account informs and entertains without ever condescending . . . this is a very readable summary of his career and Calonne does not shy away from discussing Bukowski’s ‘self-mythologising.’” (Daily Telegraph)

 “Charles Bukowski by David Calonne is not just the best book on Charles Bukowski’s writing, it is the ONLY one.” (John Martin, founder of The Black Sparrow Press)

About this edition

• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1780230230
• ISBN 13: 9781780230238
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224