I believe the title is a word play from "cock sucker"? Would fit in nicely, since the characters seem to be a bunch of morons, who also happen to have difficulties in sorting out their lives. "Cork sucker" might mean someone who has problems with alcohol.

I have to say I was slightly disappointed. The stories were relatively entertaining, and some of the characters delightfully crazy (the giant snake story was gross but amusing). As a whole the collection just seemed a bit flat, or maybe I just didn't get the deeper meaning behind it. I usually expect a fantastic idea or some sort of twist in my short stories, so maybe this just didn't have a chance in the first place.

I did appreciate Fante showing us the other side of Los Angeles, it's way more interesting than pumped up Barbies. Fante has been compared to Charles Bukowski, so I'd maybe recommend this to his fans.