Factotum

A really good book - not too long and a great intro to Bukowski and his style of writing. I enjoyed the themes of work as it actually gave a good argument against capitalism. Loved the mentions of women too as I have actually just started reading his book 'women' which is a great lead on from this one. Would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something different and honestly quite eye-opening!

Compared with Post Office and Women, Factotum is my least-favourite Bukowski novel. I say that because it broadly lacks the dark humour that makes reading about his characters' small tragedies bearable and even compelling. Still, you can't have everything, and it's important to follow the exploits of Henry Chinaski as far as the road takes him.

I am enjoying this book so much it almost defies words. Charles Bukowski has very quickly become my favourite author and I think his shocking and fascinating use of the 'gritty realism' style has and will be influencing my own writing. An incredibly interesting tale of the mundane man that somehow puts you in his place and keeps you locked into the story, a real page-turner. This is the kind of book that if you lose track of it you will turn your room upside down to find it again (even if it turns out afterwards you just left it downstairs). A great read, incredible man, though I'd recommend checking out Post Office first, get more of a feel for the character in the right order.I'd also recommend Bukowski's poetry collection 'Love is a Dog from Hell'.

For personal reading does what it says on the tin

It is the first book of Bukowski that I've ever read. Factotum is a 160page story, to read in no time. It made me feel uncomfortable at first to read about a guy who basically spends his life drinking and switching crappy jobs. But it quickly won me over mixing sincere and simple writing with a pinch of comedy. One thing I know of, is that it left me thinking and challenging the only right way of living. Not that I mean to follow the "Factotum" path :)If you have some time then to read a not too long book and prefer something of a higher value, go for it.