Pulp

By: Charles Bukowski

Narrated by: Christian Baskous

Opening with the exotic Lady Death entering the gumshoe-writer's seedy office in pursuit of a writer named Celine, this novel demonstrates Bukowski's own brand of humour and realism, opening up a landscape of seamy Los Angeles.

Fun last ride!

So pleasantly surprised that Bukowski rounded many corners of his oeuvre and story telling capacity here; and slightly poignant knowing his actual death was so close to this book in a few great ways.

What I loved about this book is mainly that he must have had a ton of fun writing it, many puns and double entendres that were key to his style if you know it well enough— but too the sense of pulp fiction he must have read to pass the time as a kid— knowing what we know from Ham on Rye, (I think that title could really be his greatest pun) — his history in the 40s and 50s when he got legs on to write, This book seems the best play of writing, something I imagine he must have held onto for all his life and waited to unleash it.

Another point how he merged that classic Dashiell Hammett hard-boiled detective into his own life, what he knew of Los Angeles, its people, its curses— but unseen before any sense of science fiction, really turned my corner, never myself thought he even thought this way. Just so delightful and comical to hear the word « Ray gun » in the 1990s, just one of many other examples.

Again, what a ride, after reading his whole life in all his books and poetry, how he could feel free to let a Ray of light out onto his world, noir here and in reality, that such a beam of sun breaks through under the clouds far away, personal night so close, how he must have grinned typing the whole way through.

As a listener on Audible— Chris Baskous is the best narrating voice for Bukowski, hands down. In this book, he takes it up a notch as though you’re gripped, listening to a serial around the family radio in the kitchen or parlor. His speed to quip each line rally moves so well, so differently perfect to the rest of his narration.

Narrator

Book is brilliant. This narrator is a regular on bukowski books and he truly captures the essence. Brilliant.

A Swan Song about a Red Sparrow.

You'll never see the end coming for this twisted tale of intrigue. It pounces upon you like a demented alligator plummeting from a Banyan Tree. Or something.

Different from Bukowskis usual work

I came into this book as a fan of Bukowskis work, I own several of his books on here.

it took me about 2/3s in to be into this book because it's completely different from Bukowskis writing. It's a 1950s era pulp detective novel in his style. which is jarring from his grounded real style. It's a slow burn. Once one of the story threads resolves, then it becomes interesting.

Weird, wild, ride of a book.

Great book Is really odd though. Death, aliens, Conspiracies, and good old fashioned Pulp detectives with a drinking problems. follow a drunk down on his luck private eye in his search for possibly dead famous authors, space alien invasion conspiracies, cheating wives, and corrupt weasly salesmen.

didnt much care for the narrators try at a female voice but otherwise it was a great adventure. definitely saving it in my favorites list. way too entertaining to miss. now i just gotta go ahead and get the hard copy