Books Like...

'Post Office' by Charles Bukowski follows the life of Hank Chinaski, a postal worker who also enjoys gambling, drinking, and relationships with women. The book is a collection of short stories that chronicle Chinaski's experiences at the post office, his interactions with colleagues and supervisors, and his personal struggles with mundane work and hedonistic pursuits. The writing style is described as raw, humorous, and honest, capturing the essence of Bukowski's cynical and raunchy narrative voice.

"Factotum" by Charles Bukowski is a raw and honest portrayal of the life of Hank Chinaski, loosely based on Bukowski's own experiences as an alcoholic. The book follows Chinaski as he moves from job to job, engaging in heavy drinking, seamy sex, and encountering various challenges in his bohemian lifestyle. Despite the repetitive nature of his experiences, the novel delves into themes of alienation, resilience, and the struggles of a working-class writer.

Bukowski's writing style in "Factotum" is characterized by its directness, simplicity, and unflinching portrayal of life's raunchiness. The protagonist, Henry Chinaski, navigates through a series of odd jobs, drunken escapades, and encounters with women, all while expressing a sense of weariness, anger, and remarkable resilience. Through dark humor, outrageous situations, and a mix of sadness and comedy, Bukowski's novel offers a glimpse into the gritty reality of Chinaski's unconventional lifestyle.

'Women' by Charles Bukowski follows the semi-autobiographical tale of Henry Chinaski, a self-described dirty old man and alcoholic misogynist who is a semi-famous poet. As Chinaski achieves literary success, he navigates through a series of short-lived relationships with women, treating them as objects and exploring his own debauched lifestyle with unflinching honesty and humor. The narrative delves into Chinaski's interactions with various women, his alcohol-fueled escapades, and his disdain for societal norms, all while showcasing Bukowski's raw and candid writing style.

Despite the repetitive nature of Chinaski's encounters with women and his self-destructive behavior, 'Women' offers a darkly humorous and brutally honest portrayal of a flawed protagonist navigating fame, relationships, and personal struggles. Bukowski's exploration of Chinaski's misanthropic lifestyle, excessive drinking, and unconventional approach to romance provides a glimpse into a world of debauchery, introspection, and unapologetic self-expression.

"Ask the Dust" by John Fante is a story set in LA in 1939, following the struggles of writer Arturo Bandini as he lives hand to mouth, blows his money as soon as he receives it, and falls in love with a waitress named Camila Lopez. Their relationship is portrayed as a love-hate dynamic, filled with volatile emotions and irrational choices. As the plot unfolds, Camilla ends up in a mental institution and disappears into the desert, leaving Bandini grappling with his own shortcomings and desires.

The writing style of "Ask the Dust" is described as dark, beautifully told, and capturing the essence of 1930s Los Angeles. The novel is praised for its vivid portrayal of dive bars, cheap rooms, and the struggles of a young writer beset by love and affliction. The relationship between Bandini and Camilla is depicted as a blend of bitterness and warmth, with tragic characters and gorgeous prose creating a brief yet rewarding narrative that keeps readers engaged until the poignant ending.

"Pulp" by Charles Bukowski is a humorous and absurd novel that follows the misadventures of Los Angeles private investigator Nick Belane. The book combines elements of a classic noir detective tale with Bukowski's unique writing style, featuring quirky characters such as Lady Death, space aliens, and a dead French writer named Celine. Belane navigates through bizarre cases involving cheating spouses, vengeful bookies, and existential themes like identity and the meaninglessness of life. The story is a caricature of detective stories, filled with offhand comments, hard-boiled attitudes, and dark humor, making it a fun and unconventional read.

'Hollywood' by Charles Bukowski is a fictionalized account of the making of the film Barfly, based on his own script. The novel follows Bukowski's alter ego, Henry Chinaski, as he navigates the Hollywood movie-making industry, attending film shoots and rewriting the script to accommodate the egos of the actors. Real-life characters are thinly disguised, and the deadpan humor in the book humanizes the foolishness typical of the film industry. The writing style is sparse and direct, characteristic of Bukowski's work, offering a cynical and boozy trip through the world of Hollywood.

The book offers insights into the Hollywood movie-making process, with Bukowski's observations on the industry and its characters. The narrative captures the essence of Bukowski's writing, with a focus on alcohol, sex, and a cynical view of the world. The novel is a quick and entertaining read, providing a glimpse into Bukowski's experiences with the Hollywood elite, offering a mix of humor and satire.

"No Longer Human" by Osamu Dazai is a bleak and introspective novel that delves into the life of Oba Yozo, a character struggling with feelings of alienation and disconnection from society. The book explores themes of loneliness, suicide, and existential dread through Yozo's eyes as he navigates a world where he feels like an outsider. The writing style is described as powerful and impactful, with a narrative that captures the protagonist's internal turmoil and despair in a poignant manner.

Tales of Ordinary Madness is a collection of short stories by Charles Bukowski that delves into themes of self-pity, disgust, excessive drinking, and poor behavior. The stories feature characters living on the fringe of society in Los Angeles, engaging in activities like gambling, drinking, writing, and struggling to exist. Bukowski's writing style is described as profane, gritty, poignant, and raw, with stories that are both explosive and violent, portraying a low-down truth of life.

"Journey to the End of the Night" by Louis-Ferdinand Celine is a dark, misanthropic novel that follows the protagonist, Ferdinand Bardamu, through various stages of his life, from fighting in World War I to traveling through French colonial Africa, Detroit, and Paris. The narrative is marked with Celine's disgust at humanity's folly, malice, and greed, while also incorporating darkly comic elements and occasional satirical asides. The writing style is described as dense, harsh, and filled with cynical aphorisms that demand attention, creating enduring images that reflect the bitterness and rage at senseless slaughter and environmental destruction.

'Hunger' by Knut Hamsun is a gripping and emotionally evocative novel that follows the unnamed protagonist, a starving writer journalist, as he navigates extreme poverty and hunger in the streets of Oslo. The narrative delves into the protagonist's descent into madness, his struggles with pride and self-destruction, and his relentless pursuit of dignity amidst dire circumstances. The writing style is stark, intense, and primal, portraying the protagonist's inner turmoil and erratic behavior with vivid descriptions of near insanity and misery.

Despite the bleak and intense atmosphere, 'Hunger' is lauded for its ability to immerse readers in the protagonist's psyche, leading them through moments of sublime passion, despair, and defiance. The novel offers a compelling exploration of themes such as pride, honor, shame, self-deception, and the complexities of human irrationality. Through a stream of consciousness narrative, the book provides a chilling and uncompromising look at the harsh realities of literary life in Oslo at the turn of the twentieth century, making it a thought-provoking read for those contemplating a life in artistic pursuits.