Various (O'Brien, John (Editor); Bukowski, Charles; Butor, Michel; Dawson, Fielding; Holmes, John Clellon; Locklin, Gerald; Metcalf, Paul et al.)

The Review of Contemporary Fiction Vol. 5 No. 3 (Charles Bukowski/ Michel Butor Number, Fall 1985)

Elmwood Park, IL: Dalkey Archive Press, 1985. First Edition, First Printing. Softcover. "The whole earth was nothing but mouths and assholes swallowing and shining, and fucking." (Charles Bukowski, Ham on Rye, pgs. 5-6). This issue of the venerable literary journal chiefly edited & published by John O'Brien (1945-2020) is sub-titled the "Charles Bukowski/Michel Butor Number" & features interviews, essays & various appreciations of these two most important, daring writers (Debritto, F438, pgs. 604-605). Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was a German-American poet, novelist & short story writer. His writing was influenced by the social, cultural, and economic ambience of his adopted home city of Los Angeles, CA. Bukowski's work addresses the ordinary lives of poor Americans, the act of writing, alcohol, relationships with women, and the drudgery of work. Michel Butor (1926-2016) was a French poet, novelist, teacher, essayist, art critic & translator with his writing being known for its exploration of complex literary forms & innovative narrative techniques. His works often challenged traditional narrative structures, embracing mixed-media collaborations and fragmentary forms. Butor's approach to storytelling was deeply rooted in his belief that narratives should evolve to reflect the complexities of contemporary life. Among the many important contributors who write about these two giants of literature are American poet Gerald Locklin (1941-2021), who was a friend of Bukowski, whom he first met in 1970, when he arranged for Bukowski to give a reading at California State University, Long Beach. Whereas Bukowski was an avatar of the "Meat School" of poetry that flourished in the 1960s and '70s, Locklin was considered a "Stand-Up" poet (Setting Free the Buk, pgs. 27-31 & Bukowski's War All the Time and Horse Don't Bet on People & Neither Do I, pgs. 34-36). Paul Metcalf (1917-1999) was an acclaimed poet & prose writer with a most distinguished American literary pedigree - he was the great-grandson of "Moby Dick's" Herman Melville (1819-1891). Among his influences was the great (physically & intellectually) Black Mountain-&-Beyond poet Charles Olson (1910-1970), who was in turn quite influenced & wrote about Melville, with Metcalf comparing Butor to Olson in "Mobile" (pgs. 138-139). Also with a review section of contemporary works including Fielding Dawson's (1930-2002) Virginia Dare: Stories 1976-1981 (pg. 194) & John Clellon Holmes' (1926-1988) Gone in October (pgs. 191-193), Holmes' account of attending the funeral of Beat Generation Founding Father, Jack Kerouac (1922-1969); contemporary ads, etc. Softcover Original: First Edition, first & only printing per publishing customs. A very important rarity for scholars & collectors of these two iconic writers & of this distinguished journal. In relatively fine condition with only mild rubbing, scratching & creasing to front, back covers & especially spine; mild wear & a few bumps, short creases & curlings to edges & corners of same; appx. 1" enclosed tear to fine edge of back cover near fore-edge; very light rubbing & age-toning to edges of text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with mild age-toning to page leaves; tiny-to-small bumps & creases to corners of same. Fine. [Item #8791]

Price: $35.00