Product Description

Surfacing from the literary underground, Bukowski's wild and immortal stories have become cult favourites. This collection of anecdotal short stories demonstrates Bukowski's compelling semi-autobiographical style and his mastery of visceral language and the depiction of seamy underworlds. Focusing on themes that recur throughout his work, from Los Angeles and bar culture to alcoholism, gambling, sex and violence, these pieces also introduce unexpected elements of fantasy and surrealism.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36695 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

About the Author
Born in 1920, Charles Bukowski became one of America's best-known writers. During his lifetime he published more than forty-five books of poetry and prose including the novels Post Office (1971), Factotum (1975), Women (1979) and Pulp (1994) all available from Virgin Books.

Customer Reviews

A superb collection of Uncle Buk short stories
This collection is an excellent example of Bukowski's style. The stories are diverse, fascinating and superbly written. Bukowski's tradmark no-nonsense technique is all too prevalent in this book. From autobiographical tales of his drinking escapades to surreal ideas about Hitler becoming president of the United States, each and every one will excite a different part of your literary mind.

bent on bukowski
My first brush with Bukowski was with "The Most Beautiful Woman..." while I was travelling in Central America. I found an old, torn paperback in a friend's closet and began flipping through the pages while lying on the floor of a dusty Spanish villa -- Bukowski in one hand, a cheap Costa Rican beer in the other. This is how Bukowski ought to be read: drunk and free. His stories are fast, gripping, and soaked with his brilliantly strange commentary. I have since gone on to consume more of Bukowski's tales and love the guy more and more with each page I turn. One of three principle elements can be found in all of Bukowski's works -- alcohol, sex, and/or debauchery -- but what truly fascinates me is how he breathes new life into each and every one of his stories. Despite Bukowski's obsession with the aforementioned elements, all of his works are truly unique and surely will make you laugh, cry or scream. Read Bukowski. Live Bukowski.

Best American Short Story Writer--Bar None
Bukowski's stories are veritable TIME BOMBS ready to explode in your open hands. "The Most Beautiful Women In Town And Other Stories" along with "Tales Of Ordinary Madness" are his best works. Powerful stuff...fusion of song with narrative flow...inspired writing, with the solar plexus leading the way...that's Bukowski for you. But what distinguishes him from all others is his wonderful sense of humor. The ability to make himself and his characters laugh through all the existential pain of day-to-day living that's common to us all. And I'm not talking about the intellectual kind for the in-crowd and superwits. I'm talking about street humor. Workingman's humor. The kind to be found in offices and factories throughout the Country. No other American writer can make us laugh quite like Bukowski can...or cry...or feel our humanity all the way to the bone marrow. With this collection of Stories, Bukowski hits the jugular--and blood comes pouring across the pages like bittersweet wine.