Art, Survival and So Forth : The Poetry of Charles Bukowski

by Jules Smith

This is the book that thoughtful readers of Charles Bukowski have been waiting for. Based on extensive research, it places Bukowski s poetry in it s American cultural context, and explores the key poems and collections in his development. It traces magazines, literary contacts and influences from the mid-1940 s to The Last Night of the Earth Poems (1992).This culmination of twenty years of loving labor on the work of Charles Bukowski by Jules Smith represents a critical breakthrough, a shift in perspective, and an elevation of Bukowski Studies to a new plane of serious technical analysis and informed historical positioning. Although the book takes into consideration the best of the American and Continental commentary that currently exists, it also offers an intriguing and uniquely British point of view. Buk s work is seen as heavily indebted to the Hollywood movies of the 1930s and 40s and to the young author s outsider status as having been declared psychologically unfit for service in the Second World War. Want to know about Bukowski and the movies, the Beats, Hemingway, Cline and Walt Whitman About how and why Bukowski formed his unique style and image And about where he fits in to West Coast and post-War American verse Scholarly but accessible, this is the essential book to have. Also contains drawings by David Hernandez, rare photographs of C.B., and a preface by Gerald Locklin. "All who value the achievements of Charles Bukowski will rejoice that he is at last enjoying the high level of scholarly attention and prestige signalled by the publication of this landmark study." - Gerald Locklin

246 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Gender: Cynical slick chick.

Age: New age, old school.

Height: 1.70 m

Low: Running out of cappuccino sachets.

Bio

My personality test described me as a spontaneous idealist and I have to agree. I am at my best and liveliest when playing with new, creative ideas. I’m a great believer in freedom to express without restraints and being passionate about your work. If what you do doesn’t bring you joy then you shouldn’t be doing it; you’ll never do it well.

I am a creator with two passions: writing and photography which I combine together to create art philosophy.

Writing: Whilst I have had many freelance roles in this field writing for tabloids, magazines and businesses, my preferred style is of a whimsical nature. I like to observe people, life and situations and find the humour within. I enjoy reaching into the deeper emotions of readers and making them feel. I write in a storytelling fashion that enables me to engage with the reader and paint a visual picture that they can relate to, or empathise with.

Photography: I am never without a camera as I can always spot an opportunity for a great shot. I am often found in the most odd positions to get the result I want. I’m a very visual person and can find the banal interesting and the ugly, beautiful. I like unusual angles, macro and texture in my pictures. To me, photography is like instant art with the most spectacular results.

Strengths: Accidental life coach and practicing mentalist.

Weaknesses: Bad hair days but sexy hair made me what I am.

Dreams: Floating above castles in the air, from a pipe.

Realities: What? Again?

Likes: Hammocks on beaches with a margarita in each hand, Apple products to an alarmingly, unhealthy degree, junkets, travel, reading, exploring, bacon, freedom, red lippy, chess, backgammon and word games. Would like to be best friends with Tyrion Lannister, Stephen Fry or David Walliams.

Dislikes: Hierarchy, control, English weather, black pudding, long queues, strawberries, maths, internet failure and spiders.

Synopsis: A free spirited, quirky soul with a passion for the fanciful, that won’t go out in the rain unless there’s a tarantula in the living room.