3 ms·
Has this author read much Bukowski? He talks about the hideousness of alcoholism routinely. Post Office, his auto-biographical debut novel, ends with him quitti
by kevmo 8y ago
Has this author read much Bukowski? He talks about the hideousness of alcoholism routinely. Post Office, his auto-biographical debut novel, ends with him quitting the post office to write full-time after his former lover and long-time friend dies from alcoholism.
- longerthoughts 8y agoI don't think the author is trying to say Bukowski's depictions are rosy ("He is coated in vomit and/or blood with the regularity of an E.R. nurse"), just that Bukowski skews things to lead the reader to "oh, you lovable degenerate", which is hardly a realistic depiction of living with or around alcoholism.
- noarchy 8y agoThis was essentially my own reaction. If you've read his novels (which are mostly autobiographical), it is obvious that his alcoholism is far from anything glamorous. His entire life looks like a trainwreck (especially Factotum), complete with brushes with skid row, and a lot of this can be chalked up to drink.