Discover the words of Charles Bukowski, a legendary writer known for his raw and honest perspective on life. From profound insights to biting sarcasm, delve into a collection of his most famous quotes that will challenge, inspire, and make you question the world around you.
Henry Charles Bukowski was a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer who became known for his work that addressed the lives of poor Americans, writing, alcohol, relationships with women, and the monotony of work. He published extensively in small literary magazines and with small presses and wrote thousands of poems, hundreds of short stories, and six novels over the course of his career. Although he received little attention from academic critics in the United States during his lifetime, Bukowski gained popularity in Europe, particularly in Germany. He has since been the subject of numerous critical articles and books.
Bukowski was born in Germany to a German father and American mother. His family immigrated to Los Angeles when he was a child. Growing up, Bukowski faced abuse from his father and struggles with his appearance due to extreme acne. The Great Depression further fueled his rage as he witnessed economic hardships. In his early teens, Bukowski discovered alcohol as a coping mechanism. After quitting college at the start of World War II, he moved to New York City in hopes of becoming a writer. However, it wasn't until he was treated for a near-fatal bleeding ulcer in 1955 that he began seriously writing poetry. Over time, he formed relationships with various women that provided material for his stories and poems. In 1969 at age 49, Bukowski quit his job at the post office to dedicate himself full-time to writing after receiving an offer from Black Sparrow Press publisher John Martin. He continued to submit works to small independent presses throughout his career until his death from leukemia at the age of 73 in March 1994.
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16. August 1920 – 9. March 1994
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Other names
Henry Charles Bukowski
