Before Charles Bukowski became an author and rattled the reading community with his gritty style and simplistic prose, he was an everyday blue-collar guy who aspired to become an author. His work won’t be for everyone, but Bukowski has amassed a cult following that loves and cherishes his works. Regardless if you are a fan or not, you have to admire someone who went all in to make a drastic career change in the later part of their life and do something they love.
If you are now just discovering Bukowski and want to venture into his world, Post Office would be the best place to start, but he has written many other books that should also be considered; it all depends on what you are looking for, and the type of book you like to read. We will go over the best books by Charles Bukowski so you can decide for yourself if his novels are something you want to read.
Best Overall: Post Office
Quick Synopsis
Post Office was not only Charles Bukowski’s first book but also put him on the map as an author who reached commercial success. Its raw and gritty style was a hit with readers and became an instant classic.
Book Facts
- Page Count: 208
- Published: 1971
Editor's Note
Post Office by Charles Bukowski is a novel that delves into a postal worker’s mundane and chaotic life and portrays the American working class. The protagonist, Henry Chinaski, is a thinly veiled alter ego of Bukowski, who spent over a decade in the U.S. Postal Service before his writing career took off.
The narrative unfolds through Chinaski’s perspective, capturing the daily grind of a post office job with a blend of raw honesty and dark humor. Chinaski’s world is one of repetitiveness, frustration, and an almost hostile bureaucracy, yet it is filled with moments of bitter pleasure in women, alcohol, and betting on horse races.
Despite its seemingly mundane setting, Post Office is far from a dull read. It starkly contrasts the romanticized image of a writer’s life and the harsh realities of a soul-sapping job. Bukowski’s writing is direct and to the point, mirroring the relentless pace of Chinaski’s work life.
While many novels seek to convey a grand message or moral lesson, Post Office stands out for its candid authenticity. There’s no pretense or sugar-coating — just an unfiltered portrayal of a man navigating life the only way he knows how.
Runner Up: Women
Quick Synopsis
We selected Women to be Charles Bukowski’s most controversial because the book’s theme contains Henry Chinaski’s various experiences with women. Throughout the narrative, Chinaski’s interactions with women are characterized by alcoholism, physical and emotional abuse, and objectification.
Book Facts
- Page Count:
- Published: 1978
Editor's Note
Women, Charles Bukowski’s second novel, focuses on the protagonist, Henry Chinaski, who appears to be a semi-successful poet. However, the core of the narrative isn’t about his literary career but his complex and often sexual interactions with an array of women. Each chapter focuses on a different woman that Chinaski is either pursuing or involved with at the time.
The novel explores Chinaski’s relationships, ranging from fleeting encounters to deep emotional entanglements. It delves into the protagonist’s psychological landscape, marked by his struggles with love, lust, and the human condition. The women in Chinaski’s life are varied – from aspiring artists to single mothers – each bringing a unique dynamic to his life and contributing to his understanding of himself and the world around him.
Bukowski’s Women is more than just a series of sexual escapades; it studies human relationships, vulnerabilities, and the quest for connection amid life’s chaos. It’s a candid portrayal of the protagonist’s navigation through the difficulty of relationships, each woman leaving a mark on his life.
This novel offers readers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the life of its flawed protagonist, his intricate relationships, and the lessons learned from them. Bukowski’s unique blend of brutal honesty and dark humor makes Women a compelling read that resonates long after turning the last page.
Best Coming-of-Age Novel: Ham On Rye
Quick Synopsis
Ham on Rye is Charles Bukowski’s best coming of age novel. The book takes the reader through Henry Chinaski’s youth before he became a writer and a postal worker. It reveals the experiences that Chinaski had endured as a youth and gives an honest portrayal of his time as an adolescent.
Book Facts
- Page Count: 288
- Published: 1982
Editor's Note
Ham on Rye covers Chinaski’s life from childhood to late 20s. It starts amid the poverty caused by the Great Depression, depicting Chinaski’s abusive childhood and his experiences growing up in Los Angeles. Throughout the novel, readers will be introduced to Chinaski’s insecurities with severe acne, problematic association with alcoholism, and a series of dead-end jobs that start to weigh down on a man trying to find his way in life.
The novel is celebrated for its raw voice, capturing the long, lonely years of Bukowski’s hardscrabble youth. The book is structured as a series of short stories or vignettes and often is recognized for its honest take on real life. Readers won’t get an actual story arc. Instead, they will get someone’s unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of life.
Ham on Rye does an extraordinary job of painting a complete picture of Henry Chinaski. Readers will start to pick up why Chinaski is the way he is in his other novels, such as Women and Post Office. Although it doesn’t excuse Chinaski’s actions and flawed way of thinking, it does, however, confirm the reader’s suspicion that Chinaski is a man sorting out severe issues caused by his childhood. Ham on Rye validates just how traumatic his youth was.
Best Poetry: Love is a Dog From Hell
Quick Synopsis
Some of Charles Bukoski’s best literary works are his poetry. Arguably, he was destined to become a poet rather than an author. Love is a Dog From Hell showcases the best of Bukowski’s poetic prose and enlightens the reader about why he was so admired as a writer.
Book Facts
- Page Count: 312
- Published: 1977
Editor's Note
Love is a Dog from Hell by Charles Bukowski is a compelling collection of poetry that delves into human’s complex and irrational aspects of emotion. Published in 1977, this book of poetry captures Bukowski’s unvarnished perspective on themes that are as timeless as they are provocative: love, desire, isolation, and the often tumultuous journey through life’s darker moments.
At the heart of Bukowski’s work is an exploration of love in its infinite forms, from the passionate to the destructive. His verse navigates the complexities of relationships with a candidness that is both raw and deeply reflective. Through his poems, Bukowski articulates the paradox of love as a source euphoria and suffering likening it to “a dog from hell” that embodies the extreme emotions and experiences associated with human connection.
The collection also offers insight into Bukowski’s struggles and musings, touching on his well-documented battles with alcohol, his fascination with writing, and his relentless examination of the self within society. His style—direct, unembellished, and often laced with dark humor—underscores his voice’s authenticity, making Love is a Dog from Hell a standout work in the canon of modern American poetry.
Although Bukowski explores heavy themes, his poetry is not overly complicated and does not use deep literary devices. Readers will find the book easy to read and understand, which is an art in itself and something readers will enjoy.
The Takeaway
Charles Bukowski has become a very well known author in the reading community, both positive and negative. Although we only focused on his best work, he has written many other books that fans of his will recommend. However, it’s important to note that Bukowski is not for everyone. His writing often includes misogyny, violence, drunkenness, and many other sensitive themes that readers should be aware of and, really, should only be read by adults. Aside from the touchy themes Bukowski decides to write about, his writing can be gritty, raw, and not very well conveyed due to the simplicity of his style, which can be a challenge to some readers.
Readers who want to start reading Bukowski’s work will find that Post Office is a great start, as it will help them understand his style and the recurring character Chinaski, where readers will find in all of his popular books. Readers who want to experience his talent for poetry will find that Love is a Dog From Hell is one of his best books to start reading his poetry. Just take note that his books will require patience and an open mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Charles Bukowski?
Charles Bukowski was a controversial Poet and novelist whose style is best described as gritty, raw, and most notably unfiltered, unforgiving, and frankly underrated. Born in 1920, representing the greatest generation, Charles Bukowski indeed remains a seminal figure in American literature regardless how readers think of his work.
His legacy is not only preserved through his extensive body of work, which includes poetry, short stories, and novels, but also through the ongoing discussion and analysis of his life and contributions to literature. Bukowski died in 1994, however, in recent years we have seen a resurgence of interest in Bukowski’s work, highlighting his enduring relevance in contemporary culture.
Why is Bukowski So Popular?
Charles Bukowski’s work is highly accessible and relatable, particularly to those who feel overlooked and invisible. Bukowski’s themes often explore transgressive and taboo subjects, connecting with readers through genuine portrayals of love, humanity, and the struggles of everyday existence, but that can be a double edged sword as it can also alienate newer audiences. His influence extends beyond literature into popular culture, with references in film, television, and music, underscoring his lasting impact. Bukowski’s unique and simplistic voice, grounded in his real-life experiences and straightforward expression, resonates with many who seek authenticity and uniqueness in literature, which will drastically differ from standard fiction.
Best Charles Bukowski Book to Start With?
Readers just getting into the literary works of Charles Bukowski will have a couple of options. Readers who gravitate toward novels will get the best experience of his writing style and prose from Post Office, considered his best novel. Readers who prefer poetry will want to read Love is a Dog From Hell, which is regarded as his best poetry book. Regardless, any of the books we reviewed will be great examples of his work.