In my opinion this is the best Bukowski to date.
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Simply put, if you are a Bukowski fan, you MUST read this. If you aren't a Bukowski fan, this is a very good (and gradual) introduction which may help you understand his earlier work. Not that his writing needs any explaining, but for some reason it is terribly misunderstood and unapreciated. I think "Betting on the Muse" will help readers understand the virtue of Bukowski's literature. Two very noteworthy things in this book are the poem "Let it enfold you" and "An empire of coins". This book is everything that Bukowski stood for: Good but minimalistic literature for the masses, with an pseudo existential twist (although Bukowski himself may not admit to that). Like another reader said "Bukowski loves life and hates life, but he lives life to the fullest".
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Bukowski in fine style
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For Bukowski fans, this latest volume is a godsend. I
thought all we we would see of the great Chinaski from here
on was unpublished personal correspondence (e.g. Screams
From the Balcony). Yet here is a collection of heretofore
unpublished poems and short stories, which, in my besotted
and humble opinion, ranks among his best. Some especially
good thumbnail sketches of his 30's L.A. boyhood, nostalgic
and obviously heartfelt. Also some of Hank's finest
philosophical poems as he looks back and reflects on the
true meaning of his "wasted years".
Top notch.
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