Hollywood by Charles Bukowski Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hollywood
Book Review: The original barfly
Summary: 5 Stars
Bukowski's humor is razor sharp in this book ostensibly on the making of "Barfly." Bukowski was enjoying some measure of success and even respect by this point, and was approached by Schroeder to write the screenplay for a movie about himself. Bukowski was of course flattered and took up the challenge. His books and poetry have always been about himself in one form or another, but here was his big chance to imagine himself on screen.Bukowski takes you step by step through the making of the movie, with a sardonic eye for the details. Schroeder and his pal tried to get in touch with the lower east side of LA, which Bukowski enjoys poking fun at. He wasn't too keen about having Mickey Roarke cast as himself, he had Sean Penn in mind, but was smitten with the idea of Faye Dunaway as his love interest.
The book doesn't plunge to the lower depths as do his short stories and poetry. Bukowski keeps himself semi-detached from the subject of his early life. The book, like the movie, looks back at these formative years in a wry way that has a number of amusing twists and turns. He ends appropriately enough with the screening of the movie, with much of the gang invited to attend, making a party of it down in front of the screen as they assessed the film. Not bad, Bukowski concluded.
Book Review: bukowski's most enjoyable novel
Summary: 4 Stars
publishers weekly sure has it in for bukowski. personally, i think of that publication as a sort of cemetery where a lifeless staff of dullards pronounce useless verdicts from there dreary coffins. ignore publishers weekly on this and all books. please do. anyway, this is a very enjoyable book which gives an insiders/outsiders look from within hollywood that almost all of us will never see. bukowski is light and comedic here, but still as biting as ever. "ham and rye," might be his best novel; this one is just so much more fun. highly recommended.Book Review: great deal great book
Summary: 4 Stars
The book was a amazing! It was my first Bukowski read. I will purchase from amazon again. shipping was quick and inexpensive.Book Review: not a book to start with
Summary: 3 Stars
I've heard lots of great things about Charles Bukowski, and I've wanted to start reading him for awhile. Unfortunately, "Hollywood" was the first book of his I read, and I became too entangled in his self-adulation and alcoholism. I think maybe starting with another novel might have made this one more enjoyable. It did make me want to see the movie, though.Book Review: not his best, but still pretty good
Summary: 3 Stars
I f you haven't read bukowski before, don't start with this one, pick up Notes of a dirty old man, or try some of his poetry, Love is a dog from hell is good. This one does provide some insight into what it must've been like for our alky friend to deal with uppity Hollywood types, completely out of his element. And it ws nice to see how the man finally got himself into a nice home and descent settings to drink and write in, and, I won't give it away, but I LOVED how he ended it.