List of 15 authors like Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski’s writing is unique, but there are authors who are similar enough to resonate with fans of Bukowski. These authors often explore gritty urban life, the underbelly of society, and raw human emotions, often with a sense of dark humor or stark realism.

Here are 15 authors who might appeal to readers who appreciate Bukowski’s works:

• 1
  John Fante - Bukowski cited Fante as an influence, particularly his “Bandini” novels. Bukowski wrote “Fante was my god” in his introduction to Fante’s novel Ask the Dust.
• 2
  Charles Willeford - Ray Willeford's gritty crime novels, featuring the hardboiled detective Hoke Moseley might appeal to Fans of Charles Bukowski and other readers seeking authenticity and a departure from conventional literary polish.
• 3
  Dan Fante - John Fante’s son, who also wrote gritty tales reflective of his own struggles and experiences. In particular, his book Short Dog is a collection of short stories about his experience working as a cab driver in LA.
• 4
  Raymond Carver - Raymond Carver’s collection of short stories titled “Cathedral” was shortlisted for the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His minimalist, understated short stories explore the intricacies of human relationships and everyday life.
• 5
  Hubert Selby Jr. - Author of “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” Selby’s works delve into the lives of the downtrodden in urban environments.
• 6
  Denis Johnson - Known for “Jesus’ Son,” which explores themes of addiction and desperation.
• 7
  Jim Carroll - Known for “The Basketball Diaries,” which is a raw account of his teenage years.
• 8
  Jack Kerouac - Jack Kerouac, an icon of the Beat Generation, captures the yearning for authenticity that also resonates in the work of Charles Bukowski. If you enjoy Bukowski's writing, you may also enjoy Kerouac's spontaneous, jazz-infused narrative style and his characters' unremitting quest for meaning on the open road.
• 9
  William S. Burroughs - Another prominent Beat writer, known for his experimental and controversial works like “Naked Lunch.”
• 10
  Knut Hamsun - His early work, especially “Hunger,” captures the alienation and inner turmoil of a struggling writer.
• 11
  Charles Portis - Known for “True Grit,” Portis offers a unique blend of humor and insight into American life.
• 12
  John Steinbeck - While Steinbeck’s social commentaries are more polished, his focus on the lives of struggling Americans has some thematic overlap with Bukowski’s work.
• 13
  Nelson Algren - “The Man with the Golden Arm,” a novel about the struggles of a drug addict, reflects the darker side of life.
• 14
  Richard Brautigan - An author whose quirky and surreal works offer a unique, sometimes whimsical perspective on life.
• 15
  Louis-Ferdinand Céline - Louis-Ferdinand Céline was a French novelist who authored “Journey to the End of the Night”. Readers who enjoy the raw and gritty narratives of Charles Bukowski might appreciate Louis-Ferdinand Céline's novels for similar reasons.

Readers drawn to Bukowski for his unfiltered exploration of the human condition may find compelling voices and echoes of similar themes in the above authors. It should be noted that while these authors might share certain sensibilities or subject matter with Bukowski, each has a distinct voice and literary style.