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Summary: LET'S GO POSTAL!
Review: Charles Bukowski's Post Office chronicles the events, or rather non-events in the life of postal worker Henry Chinaski. Actually, Henry spends much of his time trying to figure out how not to work. He has more important things to do, like becoming an alcoholic, or betting on the horses at the track. He does find time to get married to a nymphomaniac heiress and does learn that being a postal worker is harder than you think. It's not that it is inherently back-breaking work. Its the repetitive nature of it that drives one insane. Then you have the impossibly inept supervisors who haven't figured out that it's easier to let a slacker continue in his laziness and goofing off at work than to fire the guy. Post Office is a good example of a novel that shows the inhumanity of the nature of 20th century work. It underlines, italicizes, and boldfaces the fact that we are the cogs and the people in charge are even more imcompetent than us. While there's not a lot of plot here, I enjoyed this novel. I couldn't help thinking that it was a poor man's Tropic of Cancer and that this book felt more like a Henry Miller rough draft than a book that had its own bold style and ideas. The prose is bare almost to the point of being non-art. .
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Summary: don't believe the hype
Review: women and ham on rye are much better. this one was boring.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so sure Bukowski
Review: It is my least favorite work. As someone said: "Only mediocr is at is best all the time". Just like some of his poems. Factotum is better, but read it only BEFORE the Ham. You will get more interested into the Chinasky character after the Factotum.
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Summary: A "Real Life" Novel
Review: There are very few novels like POST OFFICE: a book that conveys the dreariness of a lousy job, a novel of dreams deferred, a novel that portrays the many compromises a person must make in adulthood. His job is ridiculous, his life is ridiculous, and yet he must put up with it -- what else can he do but go forward? In many ways, this novel reminds me of another great Amazon.com purchase -- THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez. That novel, too, is about a "failure" in life and love -- although that book is set in East Village of New York and centers around an "unlucky" writer addicted to the personals. That book, like POST OFFICE also conveys the stupidity of day-to-day existence: of having to hold down a dumb job in light of "knowing better."Bukowski is a one-of-a-kind writer who tries to strip his writing down to convey the realities of real life. Not the life we see in Hollywood movies, but the real thing. The writing from page to page is raw and seemingly "unpolished," yet that does not diminish the power of the book and the overall effect of the novel once you turned the last page. It's a novel about finding the courage to live your life in spite of your obligations. I certainly will never forget this book!
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Summary: Move over, Hemingway !
Review: After 30 years of poverty Charles Bukowski finally hit the big leagues with the publication of his first novel, the autobiographical "Post Office", a tale told in the first person through his alter ego, 'Henry Chinaski'. It's an amazing achievement. How many writers can enthrall the reader with stories about an alcoholic derelict who is fond of classical music, poetry and violent women,? Whose chief aim is to coast along in a world where ambition is a virtue, not a sin, and success is God? Chinaski is a loser. He is the flip side of the American Dream which tells us that we can all be zillionares if only we get our thinking right and our shoulder to the wheel. In 'Post Office' his very reluctant shoulder is indeed at the wheel, much like Sysiphus. He is tormented by bureucrats, who find nothing odd in their pettyness. After all, since they are the well fed, well groomed norm; it is clearly Chinski who must be crazy. Bukowski engages us not through resentment, but through his tragicomedic style. It is his superb sense of humor that endears this unendearing character to the reader. This is not a novel by an " Angry Young Man " , nor a call for social reform. It's life.
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Summary: post office blues
Review: a master piece of easy to read work--theblues of the post office by bukowski
Rating:
Summary: Post Office
Review: As the title indicates the book spells out Hank Chinaski's less than stellar employment record with the U.S. Post Office. Of course Mr. Chinaski's degenerate, alcohol infused lifestyle takes center stage with the usual ashtray-like crude descriptions of coitus with numerous women, with his prowess exaggerated as usual a la Bukowski style. However, POST OFFICE is more than the inebriated exploits of a philandering degenerate. It is a sarcastic, yet true, criticism of the ridiculous bureaucrats that govern the Post Office, who take themselves and the job far too seriously and make simple work more complicated than it should ever be. It's the story of a man that just wants to do his job and be left alone, but sadistic supervisors won't let him be. If you've ever been sick of your boss, but don't have it in you to tell him that he can take this job and shove it you know where, then this book is for you. Because Hank Chinaski doesn't put up with being bullied around. He's the champion of the underdog. Soured by a permanent hangover, he smarts off, comes and goes as he likes, and crumples and throws his numerous warnings into the trash sometimes without even reading them. He's the regular, all-American blue-collar joe that does what he likes whenever he wants and doesn't give too much thought about anything else. I guess that's why I keep coming back to Hank Chinaski for some good times and laughs.
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Summary: A Winner!
Review: One of Buk's best. Easy to read style. If you think postal workers have it easy...I suggest you read this book (although Bukowski makes it all interesting and even funny at times). This reminds me of another book by Kirk Alex entitled Working the Hard Side of the Street (about driving a cab in L.A.) The daily grind of working a crummy job in order to pay rent is something most of us can relate to. That's why we cherrish books like this and writers who can speak to us in a pared down, no B.S. manner. We miss you, Buk.
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Summary: a fun and entertaining read
Review: "We both ought to get jobs," Joyce said, "to prove to them that you are not after their money. To prove to them that we are self-sufficient."
"Baby, that's grammar school. Any damn fool can dig up some kind of job; it takes a wise man to make it without working." Meet Henry Chinaski in Bukowski's first semi-autobiographical novel (written in 1971) about his days as a Post Man. Chinaski, who suffers problems with his boss, coworkers, women, the weather, and everything else, is always ready to get back up and try again. Or, instead, sit back in bed and enjoy another beer. This book hinges on the fact that Chinaski isn't your ordinary drunk. He is witty, perceptive, and always willing to speak his mind. Post Office is very entertaining and easy to read, and a must for any Bukowski fan. It is also the perfect place to start for anyone who is unfamiliar with Bukowski, looking to get their feet wet. Filled with satirical humor, candor, insight, and plenty of booze, Post Office also doesn't fail to have touching moments with genuine emotion. Since Bukowski's books are all linked with a central character, Chinaski, it is recommended that you read them in order, starting with this book, and then moving on to: Factotum (1975), Women (1978), Ham on Rye (1982), and Hollywood (1989). Although this is recommended, it certainly isn't a requirement. Each book is still completely independent from the next. As far as the actual writing goes, Post Office is Bukowski's weakest novel in that respect -- so, if you like this one, keep reading. He only gets better [and funnier.] FURTHER READING:
Ask the Dust, by John Fante. Fante, one of America's most underrated authors, was a huge influence on Bukowski and a master in his own right. His books are similar in theme and character to Bukowski's and I recommend them to anyone who enjoys Post Office. It may be worthwhile reading Ask the Dust before Post Office, but again, it doesn't really matter. (Bukowski wrote the preface to Black Sparrow's reprinting of Ask the Dust (1980.))
Rating:
Summary: good old bukowski
Review: This guy has created some of the best page-turners ever. So simple, honest and captivating. One of the best writers of all time. Check him out!
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