Bukowski and the Beats : a commentary on the Beat Generation /

Duval provides an engagingly written view of the links and contradictions between Bukowski and the Beats. Bukowski lived in a very different world than the Beats did, with long stretches as a bum with temporary jobs, but he did focus on placing himself as a writer in relation to the Beat movement, despite the obvious differences. Duval provides chapters on Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, and sections about William S. Burroughs, Harold Norse, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. A chapter about the making of the movie Barfly includes an interesting portrait of Jean-Luc Godard. Bukowski's mixture of violence, drunkenness, humor, and linguistic innovation is evident throughout the text. The last chapter offers Duval's lengthy interview with Bukowski and his wife, Linda Lee. Included throughout are photographs and illustrations by R. Crumb; completing the book are notes, an extensive bibliography (including audio and Internet resources), and a section that describes each of the characters referred to in the book. Recommended for collections of contemporary American literature; all levels. L. Berk Ulster County Community College

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, CUNY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.