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Henry Chinaski Series

This series chronicles the life of a nonconformist grappling with life's absurdities and searching for meaning in a chaotic world. With raw honesty and cynical humor, it delves into the depths of the human psyche, exploring themes of addiction, fleeting relationships, and the struggle against societal norms. It offers a gritty, uncompromising look at life on the fringes, resonating with readers who appreciate authenticity and unflinching truth.

Hollywood
Ham On Rye
Women
Tales of ordinary madness
Post office : a novel

Recommended Reading Order

  1. Post office : a novel

    • 208 pages
    • 8 hours of reading

    "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.

    Post office : a novel1
    4.0

  2. Tales of ordinary madness

    • 240 pages
    • 9 hours of reading

    Inspired by D.H. Lawrence, Chekhov and Hemingway, Bukowski's writing is passionate, extreme and has attracted a cult following, while his life was as weird and wild as the tales he wrote. This collection of short stories gives an insight into the dark, dangerous lowlife of Los Angeles that Bukowski inhabited. From prostitutes to classical music, Bukowski ingeniously mixes high and low culture in his 'tales of ordinary madness'. These are angry yet tender, humorous and haunting portrayals of life in the underbelly of Los Angeles.

    Tales of ordinary madness2
    4.0

  3. Women

    • 304 pages
    • 11 hours of reading

    Tells the story of an ugly old man who has gone unloved for too long, but a change comes over him as he begins more and more relationships with women.

    Women3
    3.9

  4. Ham On Rye

    • 336 pages
    • 12 hours of reading

    With his fourth novel, legendary barfly Charles Bukowski follows the path of his alter ego Henry Chinaski through the high school years of acne and rejection, drinking his way through the Depression, and ends at the start of World War Two.

    Ham On Rye4
    4.2

  5. Hollywood

    • 288 pages
    • 11 hours of reading

    'What will you do?' 'Oh, hell, I'll write a novel about writing the screenplay and making the movie.' 'What are you going to call it?' 'Hollywood.' 'Hollywood?' 'Yes . . .'Poetic, sharp and dangerous, Hollywood - Bukowski's fictionalisation of his experiences making the film Barfly - explores the many dark shadows to be found in the neon-soaked glare of Hollywood's limelight.

    Hollywood5
    3.8