Factotum

By: Charles Bukowski

Narrated by: Christian Baskous

One of Charles Bukowski's best, this beer-soaked, deliciously degenerate novel follows the wanderings of aspiring writer Henry Chinaski across World War II-era America. Deferred from military service, Chinaski travels from city to city, moving listlessly from one odd job to another, always needing money but never badly enough to keep a job. His day-to-day existence spirals into an endless litany of pathetic whores, sordid rooms, dreary embraces, and drunken brawls, as he makes his bitter, brilliant way from one drink to the next.

Charles Bukowski's posthumous legend continues to grow. Factotum is a masterfully vivid evocation of slow-paced, low-life urbanity and alcoholism, and an excellent introduction to the fictional world of Charles Bukowski.

Bukowski being Bukowski

This book seems to rehash a lot of what we have already seen from Buk in Post Office and Ham On Rye. It's still highly entertaining, and contains some very wry witticisms that still strike true to this day. Reading about how Buk lived, makes one wonder how he ever made it, how he survived as long as he did. A true legend.

Bukowski is "The Dirty Old Drunk Man"

Don't have any presentment, this is a dirty old man. but, he gives everything... the stories are simple and not for those easily offended... but, I've read it all, Dostoevsky to Hemingway on to Stinebeck and Whitman and on it goes..I'm not gonna say Bukowski is at the intellectual lvl of these other writers... or is he... the reader gets a straight story of drunkenness and seduction, not Deep or Profound ... or, isn't it. its Direct and true-ish. these stories and charater. also, I think I'll lump the writer into this they are a left behind ne'r do well with nothing to lose, if your looking for a easy going Drifters life in the 40's - late 60s go no further...

I wanna switch and I wanna Add Great Works of Great Men (Dostoevsky and the like) and the Lessons they taught us about life and struggles, ups and downs, Goods and Bads.. Rights and Wrongs.... pls, take the time and follow me here. are we to look at Bukowski, seeing the piece of Shit he is(or is he?) giving us a life in print of the perspective of the road less traveled... maybe we get a Grab/view of someone who doesn't buy into the workaholics dream, the perspective of a man not consumed with buying and induging (or maybe he just can't afford it,lol) the fella that doesn't need to work his life away, as he is content, lavishing in booze and Sex for his release from the standard ever directed press of life and time( what is the proper way?)....

ok.. maybe he is content with Females and freedom of time, maybe he isn't concerned with Defining himself with this position (yeah, in America maybe society see's this as Credulous and Undefined) do we Crucify this Man for his lack? ....


I think, I wanna say. as the great writers gave us all the, ins and outs of Right and Wrong, why then because its Offensive do we disallow a Prominent Word-Smith to speak his own mind (OK, so we don't let the kids read it... I know kids who watched "50 shades of Grey" how is that less direct then Bukowski) like it or not... Doesnt this guy really belong with the Greats... for the Good of having all the Basis Covered... and GDit if his Damn Writing isn't Spectaculer, it's for each man to fill in, so

for my take, Bukowski, as sour and unliked by Hard Working Americans as he is... holds the unlike Genius Spot IMO.....

look every Great MFer can't just be tackling Virtue style morals.... the unliked Sons Of Bitches hold the sour Spots, but, as unlike as they are they are still needed ( and in my opinion)they Remain just as profound....

I think at this point I'll Bring in the disliked but revered Deogenes the Master Greek Stoic he held a Very Unlike Position in Greek Society. but, had the like of the great Alexander seeking out his Wisdom... dirty and uncouth doesn't mean Stupid and unintelligent...if any positionI held I'd Say known by Bukowski or not he help a Epicurian position, that of loving pleasure and shunning labor... do you a solid if your on the reading Classic works tip... let Bukowski give you your understanding of Discust...

people can and should get these life lessons, less they fumble and fuck up, when they arrive at life's end having been bogged by the other side they never understood (the Less Virtuous) and just studied Chekov and read Austin....

Virtue isn't always being Prim as a Rose, it's knowing the proper way to be .. how can one know the proper way nvr having actually understood the other side

hope this helps...

I'll always be pushing for a understanding of Bukowski

He writes like Cormac McCarthy .. if he were kicked in the head by a horse .

It sounds like an insult but it’s not , he’s bare bones and straight to it and I love it , no flowery prose here .

Enjoyable

I read this in print probably 15 years ago. Now that the Bukowski books are on audible, I am revisiting all they have to offer. If you are starting off on Bukowski, I'd suggest Ham on Rye or Post office over this. This novel details many years of Bukowski's life, I'd figure after leaving home, in which he worked about a thousand different jobs in a hundred different cities. As per his style, the chapters are short. There's no filler. It's all, "I moved here, I got drunk at this bar, I hooked up with this woman." Factotum is one of his better novels, but not his best. Still, it flows and is an easy listen.

Amazing!!

This book is a great listen and keeps your attention the whole time. I couldn't stop listening till the end!