Heinrich Karl Bukowski (1920-1994) was an American writer born in Germany and considered one of the last “cursed poets.” due to its somewhat crude and provocative style. This led him to become one of the greatest representatives of “dirty realism” since his work reflects the tearing of a life marked by alcoholism, poverty and bohemianism. Experiences that marked the unique style of his work, without filters in the language, and that have awakened followers and detractors alike.
“Absence of the hero, unpublished stories and essays (1946-1992)”, It is the work that encapsulates a good part of his work and today we want to present it to you. In the next lines, you will have the opportunity to get closer to the author, where we will analyze his style, his work and the structure of this essay. Pay attention, because we are sure that he will not leave you indifferent.
Synopsis
An essential book for Bukowski fans.
After publishing more than fifty books during his lifetime, many of Bukowski's important stories and articles remain scattered or unpublished. This volume is an anthology of this scattered work. Beginning with the first stories he published in magazines in the late 1940s, the book takes the reader on a countercultural journey through the literary battles of the XNUMXs, the psychedelic turmoil of the XNUMXs, the narcissistic pleasures of the XNUMXs, and the Reaganite dystopia. from the eighties. In addition, it offers chronicles of his infamous public recitals, reviews of his own work, hilarious installments of his column in the press, and other newly discovered gems. And there is also a place for the other Bukowski: an astute and eccentric literary critic, from his own "Manifesto" to his idiosyncratic evaluations of Allen Ginsberg, Robert Creeley... "He fills his head with coal and diamonds spring from his fingertips... Read them and cry" (Tom Waits); "An essential book for Bukowski fans" (Brian Evenson).
About the Author
Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was the last "cursed" writer of North American literature, known for his excessive alcoholism, poverty and bohemianism., as well as for its provocative and profane style, as acclaimed as it was criticized. Bukowski wrote books of various genres, such as diaries, stories, novels, poetry and essays. He even wrote a film script, “Barfly,” based on his alter ego Henry Chinask.
His six novels have been published in Anagrama, Postman, Factotum, Women, The Path of the Loser, Hollywood y pulp; six books of stories, Writings of an indecent old man, Erections, ejaculations, exhibitions, The fucking machine, Wanted a woman, Pipe music e Son of Satan; autobiographical books Shakespeare never did y Fighting against; the diaries of The captain went out to eat and the sailors took the ship; the book of interviews with Fernanda Pivano What I like the most is scratching my armpits; the texts collected in Fragments of a wine-stained notebook. Unpublished stories and essays (1944-1990) y Absence of the hero. Unpublished stories and essays (1946-1992), as well as his biography Hank. The life of Charles Bukowski, by Neeli Cherkovsky. In this collection, a volume has also been published with his first three books of stories. (Writings of an Indecent Old Man, The Fucking Machine y Erections, ejaculations, exhibitions).
Charles Bukowski's work received as many negative as positive reviews. He was accused of practicing vulgar style as mere literary exhibitionism and to reiterate his obsessions in an effective way. Other critics, however, highlighted its authenticity and his status as a cursed writer.
Without filters, this was Bukowski's style
A unique and provocative style, as fiercely criticized as it is revered, Bukowski's style stands as a kind of poetic and provocative prose where there are no limits in the language and “cues” or “bad words” are used without any type of complex. A style that has been considered by many to be vulgar and shameless.
However, we must not lose sight of the fact that Bukowski was a writer and, as such, had a virtuoso command of language. Whether you like it more or less, his talent is undeniable and so is his mark on the world. The literary archives keep his works as jewels of writing and Despite the harshness aroused in his detractors, he has given us true reflections on life and learning with a heartbreaking force. and a unique way of seeing the world with which he has managed to touch the hearts of his readers like no one else; yes, “provocating”, as always. In the following sentences you can see:
- To find out who your friends are, have them put you in jail.
- Most people go from the delivery room to the grave barely touched by the horror of life.
- Some lose their minds and become soulful, crazy. Some lose their soul and become minds, intellectuals. Some lose both and are accepted.
- I'm a genius but no one knows it apart from me.
- My ambition is limited by my laziness.
- The shortest distance between two points is usually unbearable.
- The greatest inventions of man are the bed and the atomic bomb: the first isolates you and the second helps you escape.
- It's incredible what a man has to do just to be able to eat, sleep and dress.
- Sexual intercourse is kicking death's ass while singing.
- I have more faith in my plumber than in the eternal being. The plumbers do a good job. They let the shit roll.
- I usually bring something to read. So I don't have to see people.
- “Do you hate people?” “I don't hate them, I just feel better when they're not around.”
And this is just a small repertoire of what this author is capable of “vomiting” to the world. If you want to know more about his unique style and the type of content he is able to capture in his works, visit Absence of the hero, unpublished stories and essays (1946-1992) You have an unbeatable opportunity, since it encapsulates, as its title indicates, the author's unpublished stories and essays from 1946 to 1992, two years before his death.
Structure of the work
The play begins with a vast space de thanks that the author dedicates to all the people who helped him make this and other publications possible, and in general, all his work. It is also followed by a vast and detailed prologue and then begins the essay, divided into chapters with the most striking, suggestive and provocative titles, just as our rebel Bukowski has accustomed us to.
Some examples of what you can find are: “the story of the rapist”, “the bully”, “Christ with barbecue sauce” or more subtle ones (to come from him) like: “love for love”, “the reason behind the reason” or “the player”. If these headlines have resonated with you, then this post may be tailored for you. Perhaps Charles Bukowski is not for everyone, but what is clear is that he leaves no one indifferent.