Books Like...
'Hollywood' by Charles Bukowski is a fictionalized account of the making of the film Barfly, based on his own script. The novel follows Bukowski's alter ego, Henry Chinaski, as he navigates the Hollywood movie-making industry, attending film shoots and rewriting the script to accommodate the egos of the actors. Real-life characters are thinly disguised, and the deadpan humor in the book humanizes the foolishness typical of the film industry. The writing style is sparse and direct, characteristic of Bukowski's work, offering a cynical and boozy trip through the world of Hollywood.
The book offers insights into the Hollywood movie-making process, with Bukowski's observations on the industry and its characters. The narrative captures the essence of Bukowski's writing, with a focus on alcohol, sex, and a cynical view of the world. The novel is a quick and entertaining read, providing a glimpse into Bukowski's experiences with the Hollywood elite, offering a mix of humor and satire.
If you liked Hollywood, here are the top 27 books to read next:
- #1
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... - #2
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... - #3
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 ... - #4
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... - #5
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... - #6
Save:He came along, kicking the deep snow. Here was a disgusted man. His name was Svevo Bandini, and he lived three blocks down that street. He was cold and there were holes in his shoes. That morning he h...Possessing a style of deceptive simplicity, emotional immediacy and tremendous psychological point, among the novels, short stories and screenplays that complete his career, Fante's crowning accomplishment is the Arturo Bandini tetralogy.
This quarte
... - #7
Save:'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.
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... - #8
Save:"Love Is a Dog from Hell" by Charles Bukowski is a collection of poetry that delves into the gritty realities of life, relationships, love, and loneliness. The author's writing style is described as powerful, touching, and brutally honest, offering a unique perspective on themes like companionship, acknowledgment, and the human condition. The poems in this collection touch on topics such as aging, human relationships, and the struggles of daily life, presented with a mix of humor, sadness, and raw honesty.
“you know,” she said, “you were at the bar so you didn’t see but I danced with this guy. we danced and we danced close. but I didn’t go home with him because he knew I was with you.” “thanks a bunch,”... - #9
Save:Brand New Cherry Flavor by Todd Grimson is a classic horror story set in a 1990's Los Angeles, filled with elements of sex, drugs, demons, cults, and white jaguars. The plot revolves around Lisa Nova, an indie director seeking revenge on her lover and producer, Lou, with the help of a mysterious figure named Boro who possesses voodoo powers. As Lisa's quest for retribution unfolds, she undergoes a series of shocking and horrific events, including receiving strange tattoos and experiencing uncontrollable changes in herself. The book delves into the darker side of human nature, blending elements of horror, magic, and the occult to create a twisted and complex narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
The writing style of Todd Grimson in Brand New Cherry Flavor has been praised for its ability to vividly describe the carnage and chaos within a deranged LA lifestyle, capturing the essence of a dark and dirty world that is both intriguing and unsettling. The characters in the book are portrayed as original and flawed, adding depth to the storyline and enhancing the overall sense of suspense and horror. Grimson's storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with unexpected twists and turns that contribute to the book's intense and gripping atmosphere.
So the whole thing started in a restaurant. Ferns, cut flowers, glass, and mirrors. Lisa had the white-bean rapini salad, olive bread, white wine, while the vice president in charge of development at ... - #10
Save:Vineland by Thomas Pynchon is a complex and surreal novel set in 1984, exploring themes of the America of the times, the counter culture of the 60s, and the Reagan era. The book delves into the lives of burnt out hippies, insane DEA agents, and a monomaniacal FBI agent, creating a narrative that weaves through parallel histories and layers of society, challenging readers with convoluted plots and a unique writing style that immerses them in a world of paranoia, absurdity, and intricate characters.
LATER than usual one summer morning in 1984, Zoyd Wheeler drifted awake in sunlight through a creeping fig that hung in the window, with a squadron of blue jays stomping around on the roof. In his dre...
