Notes of a Dirty Old Man

Charles Bukowski

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outrageous writing style

urban los angeles setting

stream of consciousness

angry rants and humorous recollections

gritty realism characters

fast and dynamic pacing

dirty realism genre

drinking, gambling, and fighting

infidelities and sex

absurd scenarios

semi autobiographical essays

'Notes of a Dirty Old Man' by Charles Bukowski is a collection of essays, stories, and rantings compiled from columns he wrote for the underground L.A. newspaper Open City in the 1960s. The writing style is twisted, outrageous, and genius, capturing the essence of Bukowski's life filled with drinking, gambling, fighting, infidelities, and sex with women. offers a glimpse into Bukowski's mind through autobiographical pieces that range from angry rants to humorous recollections, all woven together with a stream of consciousness reminiscent of authors like Henry Miller.

Characters:

The characters, primarily through the lens of Henry Chinaski, embody various flaws and moral ambiguities, showcasing a gritty realism.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by its raw, honest approach, often employing a stream of consciousness style that balances humor with cynicism.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative is unconventional, relying on personal anecdotes and absurd scenarios rather than a linear storyline.

Setting:

The setting is an urban Los Angeles, capturing the societal underbelly of the 1960s.

Pacing:

Pacing is fast and dynamic, often composed of shorter pieces that interlace digressions and rants.

some son of a bitch had held out on the money, everybody claiming they were broke, card game finished, I was sitting there with my buddy Elf, Elf was screwed-up as a kid, all shriveled, he used to lay...

Notes:

Bukowski wrote Notes of a Dirty Old Man as a series of columns for the underground LA newspaper Open City.

The book includes a mix of personal anecdotes, absurdity, and reflections on life.

Bukowski's writing style is described as 'Dirty Realism,' reflecting raw and gritty aspects of life.

He often addressed topics like alcoholism, relationships, and the struggles of ordinary people.

The stories often lack a clear plot, featuring Bukowski's signature stream of consciousness.

Bukowski's writings are known for their humor and contradictions, often discussing topics he claims are unimportant, like sex.

He had a unique ability to present the mundanity of life with profound insight and dry wit.

Bukowski is seen as an anti-hero or outsider, resonating with readers who appreciate unfiltered expressions of life.

Some readers find his work both hilarious and tragically sad, revealing the complexities of being human.

The author's life experiences, including poverty and alcohol use, heavily influenced his writing.]

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Potential triggers include sexual content, graphic language, substance abuse, and themes of mental health.

From The Publisher:

Beginning in 1967, Bukowski wrote the column "Notes of A Dirty Old Man" for the underground newspaper Open City. Perennially drunk, broke and in search of a woman, Bukowski takes on the guise of a wise fool as he ventures through America's seedy lowlife. Peopled by Kerouac, Burroughs and other much less salubrious characters, his exploits provoke humour and despair, whilst highlighting the inherent beauty and futility of life.

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Notes of a Dirty Old Man?

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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.

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