Solid collection. Many classics, some good, some stinkers. ( )

I've read several of Bukowski's novels and never enjoyed them. I've read two of his short story collections and liked a few of the stories but wasn't overly impressed.

However, I've long been a fan of his poetry. I hadn't read anything of his for years so I was excited when a friend gave me several of his books of poetry for my birthday.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this collection at all. As in, there wasn't a single poem of 159 poems that struck me. This really read like a man who was just spitting out words to make some cash. Very disappointing. ( )

The first full book of Bukowski's poetry that I read. I thought it was incredible and there is a definite quality of "realness" to all his work. I remember I had one of my first really nice apartments on my own when I was reading this. It was summertime and I had a third-story enclosed porch which was all windows. I had made the porch into a small jungle with tons of plants and I had purchased a beautiful wicker chair to read in. On the ledge by the windows I started to put my bottles of wine as I emptied them and I emptied quite a few while reading from this book. One time I was so intoxicated, I spilled red wine all over the cover and it seeped into some of the pages. The irony was delicious and so was the book. Bukowski is timeless and a great voice. ( )