Women

A Novel

By: Charles Bukowski

Narrated by: Christian Baskous

Low-life writer and unrepentant alcoholic Henry Chinaski was born to survive. After decades of slacking off at low-paying dead-end jobs, blowing his cash on booze and women, and scrimping by in flea-bitten apartments, Chinaski sees his poetic star rising at last. Now, at fifty, he is reveling in his sudden rock-star life, running three hundred hangovers a year, and maintaining a sex life that would cripple Casanova.

With all of Bukowski's trademark humor and gritty, dark honesty, this 1978 follow-up to Post Office and Factotum is an uncompromising account of life on the edge.

Chinaski 4

Of the Chinaski books, I find Women to be the least compelling. I loved Ham on Rye and Post Office. I thought Factotum was great. However, had I been reading Women rather than listening to it, I'm not sure that I would have finished it. Christian Baskous's voice and his interpretation of Chinaski make up for story. Absolutely read this if you've read the other three. Just go in with lowered expectations.

Crazy Ride

Any additional comments?

I just loved this book! (It's not for the fainthearted or easily offended types). For the rest of us, it's a real fun time. I have no idea why I like Henry but I DO! He's AWFUL and so are most of his women "friends" but he has a certain irresistible charm. The reading (more like a PERFORMANCE) is straight on PERFECT-even down to a man reading the women's dialogue. I am going to read all of Bukowski's works. Can't get enough!

Raunchy & Real!

It starts a bit drab but not for long. athe narrator does get better by 2nd chapter. Bukowski is a morbid soul that illuminates in his writing, although a bit morbid, raunchy and wonderfully vulgar... he writes with life! Real life! No rainbows, or aloof way of life. He writes with grit because he lived this gritty life, where by choice or circumstance, but nonetheless authentic and true to himself! One of my favorite authors thus far. Not one for the easily offended! Definitely no "cancel culture" needs to be reading this!
The best "dirty" movie ever written!

a great story

I loved it
I didn't think I'd like it at first but u get absorbed in
it is full of truth honesty sadness and grit

Unique narration

I've tried to read the text of this book and just couldn't get into it. However, having this narrator read it nonchalantly worked and I finished it. I don't think I'd listen to it again, but it was a good performance and I appreciate Bukowski's disregard for complicated prose and established literature.