Writing a biography about the life of infamous “dirty old man” Charles Bukowski could not have been an easy feat. He was a sneaky, cynical individual who's believed to have fabricated and over-exaggerated most of the events of his life. Bukowski, however, claimed that ninety-three percent of his work was autobiographical and that he merely “improved upon” the other seven percent.
Whatever the case may be, when reading Charles Bukowski: Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life, it becomes clear that the author walked the extra mile to dissolve this fabricated facade to truly discover who this Bukowski fellow really was.
Even the most passionate bookworm is sometimes bound to skip the preface of a book, but I would encourage the reader to make the effort this time around, as it provides clarity on important aspects of the book. According to author Sounes, he purposefully wrote the book in a way that echoes Bukowski’s unique style - using short sentences, short chapters, and sometimes throwing in a little bit of smut and humour for good measure.
Bukowki’s love of booze is no secret, and neither is the fact that he often turned into a belligerent drunk who insulted those he felt were false and dishonest. Even those who merely idolised him or offered help did not escape censure. Sounes does not try to hide or justify Bukowski’s rude behaviour, but instead gives a very objective, accurate, and well-researched account of Bukowski’s life, bestowing upon the reader the freedom to decide for themselves whether they like the crazy old bastard or not.
The book furthermore contains captivating photographs of Bukowski throughout his life, providing snapshots of the people he met and the places where he hung out, several of which have never been published before.
As far as reading biographies go, the reader’s opinion is bound to be somewhat grounded in his/her fondness for the subject matter. So someone who finds Bukowski and his work offensive, simplistic. and perhaps a little crass would naturally not find the book as enjoyable as someone who has a great appreciation for his unusual and unique style.