By: Charles Bukowski Publisher: Ecco Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Ecco Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 208 Publication Date: March 01, 2007 Release Date: February 27, 2007
"It began as a mistake." By middle age, Henry Chinaski has lost more than twelve years of his life to the U.S. Postal Service. In a world where his three true, bitter pleasures are women, booze, and racetrack betting, he somehow drags his hangover out of bed every dawn to lug waterlogged mailbags up mud-soaked mountains, outsmart vicious guard dogs, and pray to survive the day-to-day trials of sadistic bosses and certifiable coworkers. This classic 1971 novel—the one that catapulted its author to national fame—is the perfect introduction to the grimly hysterical world of legendary writer, poet, and Dirty Old Man Charles Bukowski and his fictional alter ego, Chinaski.
Work Sucks This is the first book I've read by Bukowski. I first came across him due to amazon's recommendations, as I had been reading quite a bit of Henry Miller.
Well, for various reasons I got turned on to John Fante, and finally picked up some Bukowski books.
I think in Orwell's essay on Henry Miller he noted that Miller marked the future of 'literature.' I read this as "modern man will have nothing to write about except bitching." Well, I see Bukowski in the same modern light, and I enjoyed reading this book.
Bukowski (or Chinaski) does seem bitter, even selfish, unrepentant, misogynistic, and isn't a role model. Having said that, it's quite refreshing to read, as un-PC as can be, in this world of cookie-cutter bullcrap.
Having heard about the actual Post Office from insiders, Bukowski really is quite gentle with his comments, not showing them to be as backwards as is the case.
I enjoyed the book. Bukowski is not as endearing as a Henry Miller, but manages to come off like more of an A-hole despite being less XXX (at least in this book) than Miller. I kept imagining George Carlin as the narrator when I was reading. Anyway, this Chinaski is an alright guy to have a drink with. Just keep him away from your sister.
Love him or hate him... he's funny This is classic comedic literature. Hank, the main character, walks through life in a way that any burned out, working stiff can relate to. I was laughing out loud many times at the hilarious observations and how much I could relate to it. If not great and profound, accept it for being hilarious and profane. However way you look at it, it's well worth the read.
Not the Best I'm not giving this book two stars because I'm one of those Bukowski-haters. I love his writing. But this isn't the best book of his that I've read. I believe it was published fairly early in his career, which might indicate better was to come from Bukowski. If you don't own any Bukowski books, I'd advise you to buy "Run with the Hunted" rather than this one.
Bukowski was a funny guy! Out of what I've read by Bukowski at this point in time (I've only read four of his books as of today) I would rank this and Ham on Rye as his best.
Most of Post Office revolves around his two stints as a Postal Worker, boozing, gambling, relationships with women and his trying to keep on with his writing while juggling all the other facets of his life. Its actually no wonder he was so miserable working at the post office considering he would drink and peck away at the typewriter every night till 2 a.m when he had to be at work the next morning. But hey you have to keep your dreams alive and it obviously paid off for him in the end.
Like everything else I've ever read by Bukowski he finds great humor in some hellish situations. This is something that kind of gets lost in the shuffle by many of the idiot hipsters that are into Bukowski. They tend to overly romanticize Bukowskis skid row/working class/bohemian lifestyle but neglect to make much of the great humor on his work. Bukowski was a VERY funny guy. Not that there isn't plenty of sad content in his books but I often feel like I'm watching a great stand up comic (including the self loathing that so many of them exhibit) when I read Bukowski.
Brilliant. Buy this book and borrow it to you friends. I love this book. It's genius in it's simplicity. Buy it, read it, and pass it along.
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