Hollywood

“Everybody comes to Hollywood...” so sang Madonna on one of her albums...

As a Bukowski fan (yes I know...let's not go there) I have just finished 'Hollywood' by him, probably one of few books I have not yet read by him. It is glorious, absolutely stunning a real masterpiece. It is obvious that he has matured by this time, as he wrote this after the making of Barfly, quite late in life. His writing is still raw and to the point but self-growth, maturity and mellowness, as well as deep inner wisdom is evident. The book is funny, yet has this deep, almost desperate and serious tone that carries through, which leaves you feeling slightly askew. It blends hilarious with matters that almost leave one rather inconsolable, which is a great skill.
Every chapter ends with seemingly random sentence, which I am sure, was carefully chosen to set the particular tone after what was said. It was like reading a riddle and then being given the clue that points to the true nature of events, those that go on behind the eyes. I adore reading that style of writing. It almost reminded me of Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the rye, all grown up and slightly drunk.

I felt that, at the end of 'Women', which was mostly about his nervous breakdown, Bukowski found his peace at last and one can feel that in this book, which makes me glad. I like personalised writing most of all. It has something that fiction always lacks, that seriousness behind it. Great book. Sublime.