Charles Bukowski

[Tralala]

The last time I was at my brother's place, I noticed a lot of Charles Bukowski on his bookshelves (and furniture, and floor, in the sink, under the cat, etc.). Since his tastes and mine are similar, I had to wonder why I hadn't read any of his (Bukowski's, not my brother's) stuff yet.
So...anybody have any recommendations as to where I should start? I'm putting a book order in tomorrow, and I'd like to add one or two.

[GotThatSwing]

Good question, I was thinking about this author too lately. So I'd love to hear recommendations too

[El_greco]

Most definitely with Ham on Rye. Easy to read, gives you some autobiographical background so you can see where the psychological profile actually came out of.

After Ham on Rye, read Factotum.

Then do the rest in any order


Caution: if you're a feminist, it just might happen that you'll feel a bit disgusted by the author

Enjoy!

[Bmsb6f]

I think it goes:

Ham on Rye

Post Office

Women


Could be wrong, though.

[Tralala]

Thanks! Sounds like I've got a good starting point.
And thanks for the warning. I'd kinda gleaned his misogynistic bent from other things I've read. Should be amusing...most of my employees are men, so I'll just pass it on.

[Philo]

If you don't like dirty old men then don't read Bukowski. (grin)

That said...you can start just about anywhere...
in my opinion all of his stuff is majorly entertaining!

I bet I've read most of it

[Tralala]

I can handle dirty old men. They don't take a punch too well, though.
Funny how Bukowski comes with a warning label.

[El_greco]

I think it goes:

Ham on Rye

Post Office

Women


Could be wrong, though.

yes. but after reading them, i wished i did it in the order described above.

[Tip the Bottle]

I think it goes:

Ham on Rye

Post Office

Women


Could be wrong, though.

I suppose it depends on if you want to read them chronologically according the Chinanski's (Bukowski's) life or the order in which they were written

Post Office

Factotum (made in to a movie with Matt Dillon)

Women

Ham on Rye

The Movie: "Barfly"

Hollywood

And if you're a person who enjoys a bit of odd poetry he has many many more books, a particular favorite of mine is.

Love is a Dog From Hell

Okay I just booknerded out a little but I really do love this guys body of work.

[shanson1]

What are your favorite Bukowski quotes?

“Some lose all mind and become soul,insane.
some lose all soul and become mind, intellectual.
some lose both and become accepted”
― Charles Bukowski

-- 10 Apr 2014, 00:15 --

“For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command nor faith a dictum. I am my own god. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us.”
― Charles Bukowski

[the biblophile]

It is nice to see some BUK fans out there.

[the biblophile]

His short stories and poetry are also very good.

[nitebyrd44]

She's mad but she's magic
There's no lie in her fire......

[Cyndel Maria]

"Stop insisting on clearing your head - clear your heart instead."

[Cyndel Maria]

I read him in college (mandatory reading) in my Literature and the City class and loved his style of writing. He's big on imagery and settings and because he writes so thoroughly about cities and places he was one I had to stop and do some research with in terms of historical facts and new vocabulary. I wouldn't let this scare you away though, he's an amazingly romantic and deep writer.