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Charles Bukowski – South of No North | Review

Title: South of No North

Author: Charles Bukowski

Type: Fiction/Non-Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 189

Rating: 6/10

Charles Bukowski – South of No North

South of No North is one of Bukowski’s legendary short story collections, and it actually contains a few of the more unique stories, the ones that aren’t about the autobiographical character of Hank Chinaski. In particular, after reading about Bukowski’s problems with acne as a youth in Ham On Rye, it was interesting to discover his problems with hemorrhoids in All the Assholes in the World Plus Mine.

Interestingly, many of Bukowski’s works have lent their title to albums and songs by bands across the world, but South of No North evolved in a different direction – it became a play of the same name, which received a reasonable level of acclaim. What I wouldn’t give to go and see that.

Overall, I wouldn’t call this one of Bukowski’s best works, but it certainly has its moments – all of his work is worth reading, and this is no exception. Add it to your wishlist, but consider Ham On Rye or a collection of his poetry as well.

Charles Bukowski

Click here to buy South of No North.

Charles Bukowski – Love is a Dog from Hell | Review

Title: Love is a Dog from Hell

Author: Charles Bukowski

Type: Poetry

Page Count/Review Word Count: 307

Rating: 8/10

Charles Bukowski – Love is a Dog from Hell

Well, with a title like this, you know you’re not going to be disappointed – this collection of Bukowski poetry brings all of the usual to the table, and it’s as good a book as any to start with if you’re new to his work. It’s a good one for Bukowski veterans too, if I’m honest.

Poems like ‘now, if you were teaching creative writing, he asked, what would you tell them?’ have a more personal connection – I studied creative writing at university, and so I was keen to see what he had to say. If you’re interested, here’s his advice – ‘I’d tell them to have an unhappy love affair, hemorrhoids, bad teeth and to drink cheap wine.’ Typical good advice from Bukowski, there.

In fact, the book is stuffed full of the usual references to booze, horses and women – all of his books are. He’s a fascinating autobiographical character, an ageing alcoholic with a barfly lifestyle. Somehow, he’s likeable – he’s an asshole, but he’s our asshole, and that’s just fine.

Charles Bukowski

A lot of his words are oddly prophetic – “‘your poems about the girls will still be around 50 years from now when the girls are gone,’ my editor phones me.” This collection was first released in 1977, the year that Elvis died and the first Star Wars film came out – 36 years ago. They’re still around now, at least. Bukowski himself died of leukemia in 1994, aged 73.

Overall, it’s well worth a read whether you’re new to Bukowski or not – it’s as good as any other book to start with, and interestingly enough it’s one of the many Bukowski collections which has crossed genres and inspired the names of songs and albums as well.