What do You think about Play The Piano Drunk Like A Percussion Instrument Until The Fingers Begin To Bleed A Bit (2002)?
This is the first Bukowski book that I ever read. I think Bukowski's importance as an American writer will only grow in the 21st century. The man is already a Hemingway-like figure in Europe.The cultural snobs of academia in America have tried to ignore his work, but that will change. This collection is a grab-bag of previously uncollected poems that Bukowski regularly submitted to small press rags during the late sixties and seventies. These are from the seventies and there are some great poems here dealing with a number of themes: alienation, lonliness, the emptiness of fame, the awkwardness of love triangles, and on and on. Good stuff.
—Raegan Butcher
Some gems are scattered amongst the poems assembled here. I'm surprised the lesser ones appeared while Buk was still living and writing, though, because they're fit for the company of those minor poems that make up most of his posthumous collections. Nevertheless, when he's on, he shines. His basic observations, brazen line-breaks and black humor will probably lead me to read everything he wrote, in search of those jewels.From the proud thin dying:it's the order of things: each onegets a taste of honeythen the knife.
—Eric Cartier
there is nothing to dobut drinkplay the horsebet on the poem.i love the fact that bukowski's poems seem to tell a story, however gruesome that story may be. most of his poems revolve around alcohol/beers, I am dying of sadness and alcohol,cigarettes and love. however, bukowski has a somewhat uncanny perception of love, I have, he went on, betrayed myself with belief, deluded myself with love tricked myself with sex. and I like it when they tell me;they are having luck with a man;luck with their life;after surviving me;they have many joys due them;I make their lives seem better after me., but that's actually fine by me, it makes me sympathize with him more.there was no living creature as foul as I and all my poems were false
—Sophie
