Bukowski and the Beats
Despite Charles Bukowski's (1920-94) best efforts to distance himself from the Beats, the author of Women, Ham on Rye, and numerous other collections of poetry and fiction seems unable to escape their orbit. Closely examining Bukowski's life and work, Swiss journalist Duval explores both his historical and his thematic links to the Beats as well as the philosophical and aesthetic differences that separate them. He includes interesting anecdotes about Bukowski's meetings with several Beats, including Neal Cassady, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs. The translation of this work reads smoothly, and the text is enlivened by a generous selection of photographs and illustrations. Duval also includes "An Evening at Buk's Place," his lively interview with Bukowski and his wife, Linda. There is an extensive bibliography and a brief Beat generation "who's who." Shedding new light on Bukowski's complex relationship to the Beat generation, Duval's book should delight both Bukowski fans and Beat scholars. Highly recommended. William Gargan, Brooklyn Coll. Lib, CUNYCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.