Some of it is filth; of course it is. We are talking about Charles Bukowski, here. But in one of the poems of this volume, he lays out the game—his worst poems are still better than anything created by his critics, who sat there waiting for him to die—he called them gravediggers. And there is a real sincerity to this work that is not to be missed. Most books of poetry eventually grow tedious to read through, but reading Bukowski’s work is always a joy, as he breaks with poetic traditions, delves into taboo subjects, and, like all good art, challenges you to form an interpretation. If you’re a fan of Bukowski’s, you’ll adore Love is a Dog from Hell. It contains some of his best work and his more complex poems. Stylistically, it’s an absolute gem.