Kia ora,
Today I’ve compiled a list of books. Now I’ll recommend these books throughout the paragraphs below. My sister said she’s been reading some good books, and asked me what I thought she should/could read. I’ve had a brief thinking session about this, and have come up with a few that I regard as stunners. Also I’ve just – right now – decided that this should be a regular occurrence. I had thought to have a whole bunch (like 15 of them) inititially, and that it would be a one-time affair, but now I think I’ll do say.. 3 at a time. These aren’t going to be massive, but hopefully an indication towards what’s worthy about the books. Note that the names of the authors in the headings, are links to info about them. And feel free to comment and discuss! Always keen on your opinion :D
Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
This is one of my favourite books ever. There’s something about Bukowski’s turn of phrase, it’s very clear and it’s very very bleak.
Ham on Rye is an autobiographical novel. Bukowski writes about himself, but changes the name of the protagonist from his own, to Henry (or Hank) Chinaski. The book describes Hank’s entire upbringing. A childhood and adolescence fraught with bad times; a family he hated, some medically hardcore acne, and picking fights whenever feasible… oh and discovering alcohol.. Theres more but you can read it. :P
I don’t know why I enjoy Bukowski’s books so much, the content matter is *almost* boring, and I can understand how people might see it as just that. Like I said though, I really enjoy his turn of phrase in particular. It’s simple, consise writing, and he uses it to narrate some pretty funny experiences that you might have, but only if you were as obnoxious as Henry Chinaski.
This book is bleak as.. And strikes me as being very real. Bukowski is a pretty straight shooter when it comes to saying what’s on his mind. No punches pulled. Ever.
Bukowski used to have his books published by the botique publishers Black Sparrow Press
The Black Sparrow copies of his work are pretty rare (at the very least they must be sought-after), and are awesomely bound. There is some sweet art on the books too, here is a list of them with amazon links – cheers whoever owns that page. Publishing company Ecco is now selling new copies with identical cover art and a similar binding style, so if youre going to purchase any, get the Ecco ones
Props to my Zucchini Bros alumni comtemporary Kent, for exposing me to a well loved Black Sparrow copy of this book a while back. Good man, I’ve read it at least 6 or 7 times and it’s always epic. Cheers
The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox
Elizabeth Knox is a New Zealand author. This is the first book of hers I read, and I thought it very good. It’s quite unusual for a New Zealand author, in that the story isn’t set in New Zealand. This novel is set in Burgundy, France. The prime focus of The Vintner’s Luck is the relationship between vintner Sobran, and a fallen angel who visits him anually. (I know you’re thinking about respelling that last word if you’ve read the book haha)
I’m not going to fool you, it’s pretty a pretty strange story. It teeters on homoerotic at times, but the way I think about it is: it’s not about 2 men per se, rather about a human and an angel.. Which is pretty out-of-it aye. The human struggles to deal with the emotions he feels towards the angel Xas, and the angel likewise.
The angel tells Sobran everything he wants to know about heaven and hell, once a year when they each stay up through the night together. The angel is similarly enlightened on human culture, and the intricacies of being human.
Knox writes very well, again it’s probably why I enjoyed The Vintner’s Luck so much. I’m a sucker for good writing, also she was the main speaker at my graduation from Victoria University of Wellington a couple of years ago, that was sweet!
I have noticed that there is a film of this book being made right now, which should be interesting. Starring some guys, and Keisha Castle-Hughes. It’s reported to be in post-production at the moment.. Hopefully I haven’t just been reccomending the next Brokeback Mountain.. ha ha jeez..
Next:
Hell’s Angels – The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs by Hunter S Thompson
This book was one of Thompson’s first. It arose from an article he was commissioned to write in 1965 for The Nation, about the fresh and already notorious motorcycle gang, The Hell’s Angels.
Hell’s Angels was instrumental in Thompson’s inadvertent creation of gonzo journalism. Gonzo journalism is an immersive style of reporting, Thompson hung out with the gang for about a year. This is what he writes about in the book.
Some of the stories are pure madness, there are situations such as when the Angels are at Thompson’s house for a party, this is in a unit in a block of apartments (If I remember correctly). It ends up with gangsters firing shotguns out of Thompson’s toilet window, after getting considerably juiced up. Hunter S is evicted swiftly thereafter.
This book, along with the other 2 I have written about today, is a fine example of writing. Thompson is another of my favourite writers, and it’s probably the combination of brashness, and a very conversational turn of phrase that draw me into it. It’s very immersive, and I like it.
Hunter S also sticks to the golden rule of balanced reporting. He makes sure he tells the reader all about how cool, tough, and fun-gluttonish the angels are, but he also exposes the disgusting pack-raping, passed out, and socially pathetic men that form the Hell’s Angels. He tells both sides of the story, like any journalist should.
Definitely cop this and give it a read. It’s bloody good: It’s entertaining, it’s shocking, it’s real, and its fucking funny..
Ends. :P
Fluke/Creative 