Charles Bukowski Summary

A prolific and seminal figure in underground literature, Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) is best known for poetry and fiction in which he caustically indicts bourgeois society while celebrating the despe... Read more

Charles Bukowski , an internationally recognized literary figure, first published a short story, "Aftermath of a Lengthy Rejection Slip," in Story magazine in 1944, when he was twenty-four years old; ... Read more

In the following review of Longshot Pomes for Broke Players, critic and poet McGrath finds Bukowski's wry humor admirable, despite his reservations about the poet's style. Here'... Read more

In the essay below, Peters detects a "deterioration" in Bukowski's poetry, but nevertheless celebrates his originality and earthiness. I once witnessed a Charles Bukowski first... Read more

In the essay below, Swastek finds Bukowski's poetry eccentric but honest and authentic Polish-American poetry, written in English, has had a variety of male and female voices pitched in diff... Read more

In the conversation below, Bukowski discusses his literary influences, the critical response to his work, and the "Bukowski image." [Wennersten]: What were your parents and your childhoo... Read more

In the following essay, Locklin praises Bukowski's work and declares that he is "undeniably a chronicler of politically significant phenomena. " Let me at once admit my bias: I... Read more

In the essay below, Kessler defends Bukowski's writing from attacks by the literary establishment, arguing that his work displays "an increasingly persuasive truthfulness, a sense of hon... Read more

In the following review, Stade provides a plot summary of Bukowski's last novel, Pulp. Charles Bukowski, ur-beatnik and author of more than 40 volumes of countercultural prose and verse, fin... Read more

In the following, Lochte summarizes and favorably reviews Pulp. Private eye Nick Belane sits in his sleazy downtown L.A. office, alone and lonely. It's hot outside and his air conditioner is... Read more

In the following essay, Peters discusses the elements of Bukowski's poetry. I once witnessed a Charles Bukowski first: the debut of the great raunchy poet as actor. The vehicle, The Tenant, ... Read more

Nericcio favorably reviews Pulp, citing a poetic essence to the novel that complements and transcends the genre it emulates. "It was a hellish hot day and the air conditioner was broken. A f... Read more

In the following review, Kingstone questions the wisdom of publishing the correspondence of these two authors. The advantage of reading a writer's letters is that one sees, often quite easil... Read more

In the following review, Weinstein examines the similarities in Bukowski's short story collection to the fiction of Hemingway. In no other collection of Bukowski's fiction does Ernest... Read more

In the following excerpt, Edwards offers a mixed review of Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions, and General Tales of Ordinary Madness. Charles Bukowski never did escape from California. Certainly ... Read more

In the following review of Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions, and General Tales of Ordinary Madness, Evanier addresses Bukowski's popularity and maintains that “the gutsy, audacious q... Read more

In the following review, Ackroyd provides a disparaging review of Life and Death in the Charity Ward. I wish that critics would nail the ‘down and out’ routine for the lie it is; it i... Read more

In the following negative review, Mansur underscores the superficiality of the stories in Hot Water Music. There is a bookshop in San Francisco where some 30 feet of shelf space are designated ... Read more

In the following essay, Smith discusses the humor in Bukowski's short stories. What is the avant-garde? A cultural elite, making Advanced or High Art, but it is also a tradition of the untra... Read more