Pulp

Rating:
Summary: pretty funny junk
Review: Don't expect to find the answers to the world's problems with "Pulp." The book has some funny moments, and should be read by those interested in 'flippant fair,' or at least by those who like to shower in their underwear. Under the pretext of a spoof-detective story, "Pulp" provides us with a glimpse of an isolationist living in a world of disjointed people. In my opinion, the book does reflect a sort of truth that exists in today's American society. Whether you agree with that or not depends on who or where or on what hole you're sniffing. Neophytes stay away.

Rating:
Summary: It surprised me how good this book was
Review: First off, before picking up this book I was under the false impression that with old age Bukowski would have lost his edge. I think I felt this way because some one told me once to stick to his earlier works so I did. This was usually the rule of thumb with most of the music I listen to, so I didn't see why it wouldn't apply to books. Anyway, a friend recently gave me a copy and I found myself really enjoying this book a lot. Sure it's not like Women where there's a sex scene every page, but it still is written from the mind of a dirty man. The book is a detective mystery where the dick takes on a bunch of really surreal mysteries that deal with sex, life, and death. He gets most of his work done by doing nothing, and when he's not doing so hot he kills time at the track or the bar which are classic Bukowski settings. I found that this book was surprisingly witty and had a lot of clever little twists throughout it that kepty me thoroughly entertained. When I got to the part where the space aliens were introduced I thought the book would suddenly turn ridiculous, but it didn't. It was really humorous and quite imaginative. All in all, this book ranks right up there w/Post Office and Ham on Rye for me. It's an amazing book, and deserves to be read by any Buck fan.

Rating:
Summary: Bukowski's worst book
Review: Hands down this is Bukowski's single worst book. Bought it when it first came out just before/after his death in 1994. Having read just about everything the man had written, "Pulp" was a hugely disappointing epitaph. If you've never read Bukowski start with "Post Office" or the short story collections, but avoid this like the plague. A bad book. I can't think of a single reason to recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Bukowski lives up to the hype
Review: I first heard of Charles Bukowski when i was reading a news update on the band Shiner's website and it made me curious. Then i was at a Dismemberment Plan concert and someone in one of the opening acts had a Charles Bukowski T-shirt on. If an author has people wearing T-shirts with his likeness on them he must be good. Right?
Pulp is a funny and vulgar parody of Pulp mystery novels, and revolves around Nick Belane a Private Detective in Hollywood. The book follows his misadventures that include working for Lady Death, a space alien called jeannie nitro, hunting for the famous French author Celine (who is suppose to be dead), looking for a red sparrow, and lots of drinking. In Pulp Bukowski mixes the pulp novel, hopelessness, lonelyness, and extreme vulgarity and somehow makes it funny. His writing style is very character centered and is very dialog oriented. The story and even plot seemed to take a backseat. However Pulp is not for everyone. It's funny, but it's humor is dark, and it is very very vulgar. I can't stress that last part enough. This book is vulgar, so if you get easily offended don't buy it. Otherwise this book is very easy and funny read.

Rating:
Summary: insane absurd and sad at the same time
Review: i have now read pulp twice. the first time i didn't care for it too much. It was cheesy, proposed that celine was alive with any supernatural explanation, had space aliens and the lady death. I dumbed down my brain so hard that I didn't see the point. but the second time through, i really enjoyed it. it's a nice quick read that you don't have to concentrate to hard to get.

Rating:
Summary: They never pinned you down
Review: Just as the gaping maw that is our culture at large was hard at work trying to define, capture, and devour Bukowski. His final book and final act of rebellion is Pulp.
Surely this book leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of all the people who needed to pin Bukowski down, who thought they had the drunken underworld dweller Bukowski's literary soul dissected on the slab.
They'll try to ignore this book but its here. You cant understand Bukowski without understanding this book so get cracking boys.

Rating:
Summary: Worse thing he ever wrote!!
Review: Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Bukowski fan. Post Office is a great novel and Women is pretty damn good also, but this is just awful. If this was his first ever novel, it would never have been published. Bukowski always writes about how he never got anything into print for 25 years and if it was anything like this then I can believe why. Pulp, is just a very bad book. The story is stupid, the plot is a mess, the characters are dumb. The only good thing about it is it's short. It's a shame to read something so bad from someone I used to love to read. Stay well away from this book, you will only be very disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A bizarre fantasy; funny and profane.
Review: Private eye Nick Belane serves as main character and narrator in this profanely funny parody of hardboiled detective fiction. A foul mouthed, alcoholic loser, Belane plies his trade from the confines of his Hollywood office.
With an eclectic cast of supporting characters, including grotesque space aliens that can take human form at will, Pulp is also part science fiction.
This book's strong point is its very sharp dialogue which is, at times, laugh out loud funny. A 4 star effort, not for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: HAHAHA
Review: This book is a final middle finger to all those who can't see it for what it is. A last footnote to an incredible body of work dedicated to breaking the rules. I thinks its rather entertaining. Way to go old man, I get it.

Rating:
Summary: good read, actual literature
Review: this book reminded me of a cross between raymond chandler and carl hiassen. all of the good things of each author, but an actual piece of literature. plus,it was written by an alcoholic ex-postman. hemingway eat your heart out. but why did i relaly decide to buy it? because of the dedication: "dedicated to bad writing." i can feel that right now.