Women

I listened to this on audio book and it reminded me of being a kid during the 70s and listening to my dad's stories of when he was younger. The only difference was my dad didn't drink and certainly wasn't a poet, so there's that. Despite the apparent horror of this comparison, it was an unexpected bit of nostalgia of a time and culture that now exists only in time capsules such as this book.

I am probably the most surprised that I actually liked this book.

I picked it up after a friend mentioned that he had read it multiple times. Within 2 pages I was sure this is not for me. And it probably isn't. Although the book is about women, it's not written for them. I think the author wrote it mostly for himself.
Knowing that, I still couldn't stop reading and before I knew it I was turning pages and getting annoyed that I have to stop.
Let me be frank, most of this book is just sex. There's a very generous amount of drinking as well. There's no particular plot as such, it's mostly just the ramblings of a tired, scared man, who has no idea what to do with himself. It's kind of like a diary.
The whole thing is brutal and ugly, yet I liked it. I'm not sure I can explain it properly.
Every other scene either gets you to laugh out loud or stare at the wall.

Again, I liked it and I will read more from the author.

DNF @65%

I understand that it was a different time.

It's like Leaving Las Vegas meets Groundhog Day. A damaged, self-loathing old prick who drinks and fucks until it's so pathetic he cannot do it anymore. Worst outcome possible. Truly sad book, left me with a bitter taste.

dear God is this novel a chore. The book is basically just one thing over and over and over again throughout. Poetry reading, getting drunk, fucking. Rinse and repeat.