Charles Bukowski

The Profile

Charles Bukowski (1920–1994) was a German-born American poet, novelist and short story writer associated with dirty realism and transgressive fiction. Raised in Los Angeles, he wrote extensively about working-class life through his alter ego Henry ‘Hank’ Chinaski. He also penned the screenplay for Barfly and remained a prolific voice in American counterculture.

Born in Andernach, Germany; raised in Los Angeles; worked for the U.S. Postal Service before writing full-time. First novel Post Office (1971); major books include Factotum, Women, Ham on Rye, Hollywood and Pulp. Wrote columns later collected as Notes of a Dirty Old Man. Died in 1994 in California. Themes include alcohol, sex, gambling, alienation and the underbelly of L.A.

DeBaser’s reviews paint Bukowski as the gruff bard of losers, bars and back alleys, often speaking through his alter ego Henry ‘Hank’ Chinaski. Themes circle alcohol, sex, gambling and the demolition of the American Dream, yet a bruised sensitivity peeks through. Key stops include Post Office, Ham on Rye, Hollywood and Pulp. Expect blunt language, black humor and snapshots of L.A. life.