BOOK REVIEWS: SUNNY SIDE DOWN AND LOOKING DOWN BOTH BARRELS

SUNNY SIDE DOWN: A CHARLES BUKOWSKI TRIBUTE

I don't normally review anything that I am in (I have a poem in this), but this Charles Bukowski tribute chapbook is well worth mentioning. Edited by Katie Doherty (Patchouli Press) and featuring a stellar line up of writers, each with their own unique take on the infamous poet. Whatever your thoughts about Bukowski the man, there is no denying his literary merit. It goes to show that some 23 years after his death, he is still held in such high regard. Some of his opinions and attitudes may have been problematic but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I would not have started writing poetry, or created Paper and Ink Literary Zine, had I not discovered his words. Sunny Side Down is a fine collection of work and a must have for any fan of Buk. Order one for yourself from Patchouli Press right here.

LOOKING DOWN BOTH BARRELS BY ADRIAN MANNING AND JOHN D ROBINSON

Another outstanding chapbook of poetry from Holy&Intoxicated Publications, featuring the work of two poets whom I would have no problem mentioning in the same breath as the aforementioned Charles Bukowski. Honest, raw poetry, dredged up from the gut and laid bare on the page. This is Grade A material, and a young upstart poet such as myself can only dream of being able to tame the written word as well as these two gentlemen. Special mention should go to Janne Karlsson for the terrific cover artwork. Get your hands on a copy by emailing John D Robinson at johndrobinson@yahoo.co.uk

"If you're gonna

write a poem

write words

that will burn

words that will

burn

the paper they are

written on

the eyeballs

that read them

and leave

nothing

but the message

scorched

into the

earth

and the

memory"

- Adrian Manning, 'And Fahrenheit 451 Evens The Score'