Books Like...
"Ask the Dust" by John Fante is a story set in LA in 1939, following the struggles of writer Arturo Bandini as he lives hand to mouth, blows his money as soon as he receives it, and falls in love with a waitress named Camila Lopez. Their relationship is portrayed as a love-hate dynamic, filled with volatile emotions and irrational choices. As the plot unfolds, Camilla ends up in a mental institution and disappears into the desert, leaving Bandini grappling with his own shortcomings and desires.
The writing style of "Ask the Dust" is described as dark, beautifully told, and capturing the essence of 1930s Los Angeles. The novel is praised for its vivid portrayal of dive bars, cheap rooms, and the struggles of a young writer beset by love and affliction. The relationship between Bandini and Camilla is depicted as a blend of bitterness and warmth, with tragic characters and gorgeous prose creating a brief yet rewarding narrative that keeps readers engaged until the poignant ending.
If you liked Ask the Dust, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West is a novel set in Hollywood in the 1930s, exploring the dark side of the entertainment industry through the eyes of various characters. The book delves into themes of decadence, desperation, and disillusionment, portraying a world where individuals are driven to ruin by their pursuit of fame and fortune. The writing style is described as skillful and precise, with vivid descriptions that bring the characters and setting to life, even though the plot may seem disjointed at times.
Around quitting time, Tod Hackett heard a great din on the road outside his office. The groan of leather mingled with the jangle of iron and over all beat the tattoo of a thousand hooves. He hurried t... - #2
Save:Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski is a raw and honest semi-autobiographical novel that delves into the unruly and depressing youth and young adulthood of Henry Chinaski. The story follows Chinaski's struggles with an abusive father, sexual frustration, schoolyard beatings, and the discovery of alcohol, all set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Bukowski's writing style is described as dark, humorous, and brutally funny, capturing the difficulties of growing up for young outsiders in a transgressive and at times disgusting narrative.
The novel explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, survival, and the impact of a traumatic childhood on shaping one's adulthood. Through vivid recollections, frank statements, and a fast-paced narrative, Bukowski paints a poignant picture of Chinaski's journey from birth to late adolescence, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity and his struggle to find his place in a hypocritical and false society.
The first thing I remember is being under something. It was a table, I saw a table leg, I saw the legs of the people, and a portion of the tablecloth hanging down. It was dark under there, I liked bei... - #3
Save:"Pulp" by Charles Bukowski is a humorous and absurd novel that follows the misadventures of Los Angeles private investigator Nick Belane. The book combines elements of a classic noir detective tale with Bukowski's unique writing style, featuring quirky characters such as Lady Death, space aliens, and a dead French writer named Celine. Belane navigates through bizarre cases involving cheating spouses, vengeful bookies, and existential themes like identity and the meaninglessness of life. The story is a caricature of detective stories, filled with offhand comments, hard-boiled attitudes, and dark humor, making it a fun and unconventional read.
I was sitting in my office, my lease had expired and McKelvey was starting eviction proceedings. It was a hellish hot day and the air conditioner was broken. A fly crawled across the top of my desk. I... "Journey to the End of the Night" by Louis-Ferdinand Celine is a dark, misanthropic novel that follows the protagonist, Ferdinand Bardamu, through various stages of his life, from fighting in World War I to traveling through French colonial Africa, Detroit, and Paris. The narrative is marked with Celine's disgust at humanity's folly, malice, and greed, while also incorporating darkly comic elements and occasional satirical asides. The writing style is described as dense, harsh, and filled with cynical aphorisms that demand attention, creating enduring images that reflect the bitterness and rage at senseless slaughter and environmental destruction.
Here's how it started. I'd never said a word. Not one word. It was Arthur Ganate[3] that made me speak up. Arthur was a friend from med school. So we meet on the Place Clichy. It was after breakfast. ...- #5
Save:"Factotum" by Charles Bukowski is a raw and honest portrayal of the life of Hank Chinaski, loosely based on Bukowski's own experiences as an alcoholic. The book follows Chinaski as he moves from job to job, engaging in heavy drinking, seamy sex, and encountering various challenges in his bohemian lifestyle. Despite the repetitive nature of his experiences, the novel delves into themes of alienation, resilience, and the struggles of a working-class writer.
Bukowski's writing style in "Factotum" is characterized by its directness, simplicity, and unflinching portrayal of life's raunchiness. The protagonist, Henry Chinaski, navigates through a series of odd jobs, drunken escapades, and encounters with women, all while expressing a sense of weariness, anger, and remarkable resilience. Through dark humor, outrageous situations, and a mix of sadness and comedy, Bukowski's novel offers a glimpse into the gritty reality of Chinaski's unconventional lifestyle.
After arriving in Philadelphia I found a roominghouse and paid a week’s rent in advance. The nearest bar was fifty years old. You could smell the odor of urine, shit and vomit of a half century as it ... - #6
Save:'Chump Change' by Dan Fante follows the life of the protagonist Bruno Dante as he navigates through a downward spiral of alcoholism, family issues, and self-destructive behavior. The writing style is described as gritty, powerful, and reminiscent of authors like Charles Bukowski and John Fante. The novel is set in Los Angeles and paints a vivid, if bleak, picture of the city, immersing the reader in a world filled with depravity and desperation.
MY NAME IS BRUNO DANTE AND WHAT I’M WRITING ABOUT here is what happened. On December 4th, the St. Joseph of Cupertino Hospital alcohol and nut ward in the Bronx, on Mosholu Parkway, let me go. Release... - #7
Save:'Post Office' by Charles Bukowski follows the life of Hank Chinaski, a postal worker who also enjoys gambling, drinking, and relationships with women. The book is a collection of short stories that chronicle Chinaski's experiences at the post office, his interactions with colleagues and supervisors, and his personal struggles with mundane work and hedonistic pursuits. The writing style is described as raw, humorous, and honest, capturing the essence of Bukowski's cynical and raunchy narrative voice.
It was Christmas season and I learned from the drunk up the hill, who did the trick every Christmas, that they would hire damned near anybody, and so I went and the next thing I knew I had this leathe... - #8
Save:'Tropic of Cancer' by Henry Miller is a semi-autobiographical novel set in Paris during the early 1930s, following the escapades of a down-and-out writer as he navigates a life of poverty, debauchery, and existential musings. The book is known for its foul-mouthed exploration of literary hipsterism, with the protagonist meandering through whorehouses and hotels in Montparnasse while engaging in philosophical and nihilistic commentary on humanity. Miller's writing style is described as poetic, brilliant, and at times self-indulgent, with a mix of vivid imagery and rambling surrealist passages that divide readers' opinions.
I call Henry Miller the greatest living author because I think he is. I do not call him a poet because he has never written a poem; he even dislikes poetry, I think. But everything he has written is a... - #9
Save:'Women' by Charles Bukowski follows the semi-autobiographical tale of Henry Chinaski, a self-described dirty old man and alcoholic misogynist who is a semi-famous poet. As Chinaski achieves literary success, he navigates through a series of short-lived relationships with women, treating them as objects and exploring his own debauched lifestyle with unflinching honesty and humor. The narrative delves into Chinaski's interactions with various women, his alcohol-fueled escapades, and his disdain for societal norms, all while showcasing Bukowski's raw and candid writing style.
Despite the repetitive nature of Chinaski's encounters with women and his self-destructive behavior, 'Women' offers a darkly humorous and brutally honest portrayal of a flawed protagonist navigating fame, relationships, and personal struggles. Bukowski's exploration of Chinaski's misanthropic lifestyle, excessive drinking, and unconventional approach to romance provides a glimpse into a world of debauchery, introspection, and unapologetic self-expression.
I was 50 years old and hadn’t been to bed with a woman for four years. I had no women friends. I looked at them as I passed them on the streets or wherever I saw them, but I looked at them without yea... - #10
Save:'The Average American Male' by Chad Kultgen follows the story of a detached and passionless anti-hero who spends his time playing video games and fantasizing about women. The plot revolves around his relationships with two different women, showcasing his shallow and misogynistic views towards them. The writing style is described as brutally honest, crude, and humorous, capturing the impure but funny thoughts that run through the average man's mind.
It’s two days after Christmas. I’m in Denver International Airport watching this old fat bitch eat a cup of yogurt. My blood is boiling. She has this weird little baby spoon, and these leathery fuckin...
