Charles Bukowski’s posthumous legend continues to grow with Factotum, a masterfully vivid evocation of slow-paced, low-life urbanity and alcoholism. This beer-soaked, deliciously degenerate autobiographical 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.

The Walt Whitman of Los Angeles—Joyce Carol Oates, bestselling author
He brought everybody down to earth, even the angels.—Leonard Cohen, songwriter