If you enjoy reading novels by Charles Bukowski then you might also like the following authors:
John Fante was an American writer celebrated for capturing the raw realities and gritty humor of life.
His semi-autobiographical novel “Ask the Dust” introduces Arturo Bandini, a young aspiring writer struggling through poverty, love, frustration, and dreams in 1930s Los Angeles.
Arturo chases inspiration and confronts harsh truths and messy relationships—as vivid and brutally honest as Charles Bukowski’s own anti-heroes.
This book reflects the relentless pursuit of passion in a restless city, blending cynicism and hope in a story you’ll find hard to forget.
Readers who enjoy the raw, unapologetic style of Charles Bukowski might appreciate Henry Miller and his semi-autobiographical novel, “Tropic of Cancer.” Miller’s book is an honest and vivid portrayal of life as a struggling American writer in Paris during the 1930s.
He depicts the city’s underbelly with sharp realism and humor, capturing experiences of poverty, artistic ambition, friendships, and fleeting romances.
The novel explores personal freedom and rejects conventional moral values, reflecting Miller’s refusal to conform and his authentic approach to storytelling.
Like Bukowski, Miller openly explores the complexities of human nature and existence, making “Tropic of Cancer” an engaging and provocative read.
Books by Jack Kerouac might appeal to readers drawn to Bukowski’s raw, honest look at life. Kerouac dives straight into restless journeys, impulsive adventures, and conversations deep into the night across America.
In his novel “On the Road,” Kerouac introduces Sal Paradise, a young writer who embarks on a wild, aimless trip with Dean Moriarty, a vibrant character inspired by the real-life Neal Cassady.
Together they chase freedom through jazz clubs, back roads, fast cars, and gritty city streets. Their adventures capture a generation hungry for authenticity, excitement, and something beyond ordinary existence. Kerouac’s style is spontaneous and energetic.
It pulls readers into the restless spirit that defined America in the years after World War II.
Readers who enjoy Charles Bukowski’s raw and unfiltered look at life’s gritty side might appreciate Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson took journalism to wild extremes, blending hard truth with chaotic storytelling in a style he famously called “Gonzo.”
His book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” is a wild, drug-fueled journey through the flashing lights and broken dreams of 1970s America.
It’s loosely based on Thompson’s real-life road trips, told through the eyes of the outrageous Raoul Duke and his unpredictable attorney sidekick, Dr. Gonzo.
Together they barrel through neon-lit casinos and twisted psychedelic adventures, chasing the elusive heart of the American Dream. Thompson’s fierce wit, twisted humor, and fearless honesty create a madcap ride unlike any other.
Readers who enjoy the raw honesty and gritty realism of Charles Bukowski might also appreciate Allen Ginsberg. Ginsberg, a central figure of the Beat Generation, is famous for his unfiltered and controversial poetry.
His groundbreaking poetry collection “Howl and Other Poems” captures the restless spirit of a generation, with vivid imagery and bold critiques of America’s consumerist culture.
In “Howl,” Ginsberg voices the frustration and struggles of young outsiders discouraged by conformity, censorship, and social repression. His fearless observations on sexuality, politics, and mental illness make his verse bold, direct, and emotionally intense.
Ginsberg tells stories of people pushed to the edge, outsiders who won’t hide their truths, and readers familiar with Bukowski’s world will surely find resonance in his works.
Readers who enjoy Charles Bukowski’s raw honesty and gritty style might find William S. Burroughs intriguing. Burroughs has a reputation for pushing boundaries and experimenting with form and language. A standout example is his notorious book, “Naked Lunch.”
This controversial novel follows the bizarre journey of its protagonist, William Lee, as he plunges through surreal visions of addiction, crime, and dark satire. Burroughs uses a fragmented narrative that can be hallucinatory at times, yet sharply observant at others.
There’s a gritty reality buried within its absurdity, with characters caught in desperate situations under bleak conditions. For readers who appreciate Bukowski’s fearless approach to life’s darker aspects, Burroughs offers something equally intense and unforgettable.
Readers who appreciate Charles Bukowski’s raw honesty and straightforward style might enjoy Ernest Hemingway’s writing. Hemingway is known for his clear and simple language, which captures deep emotions without being overly sentimental.
His novel “The Sun Also Rises” centers around a group of American and British expatriates traveling through Paris and Spain. Jake Barnes, the main character, struggles with the impacts of war and an impossible love affair with Lady Brett Ashley.
The story portrays the lost generation after World War I, dealing frankly with issues like disillusionment, loss, and the search for meaning in life. Hemingway writes dialogue that is realistic and sharp, showing human connections and emotional depth beneath the surface.
If you connect with Bukowski’s honest portrayal of life’s struggles, Hemingway also offers compelling stories of characters facing life’s harsh truths head-on.
Raymond Carver is an American author celebrated for his raw, down-to-earth short stories about ordinary people facing life’s quiet hardships. His collection “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” captures everyday struggles of love, heartbreak, and quiet desperation.
Each story portrays intimate moments in relationships, often accompanied by loneliness and unsaid emotions.
If you enjoy Charles Bukowski’s straightforward narratives about regular folks confronting life’s rough edges, Carver’s honest snapshots of human experience offer a realistic, unfiltered look at similar lives.
Books by Hubert Selby Jr. capture raw human emotions and gritty realities in a way fans of Charles Bukowski will recognize and appreciate.
His novel “Last Exit to Brooklyn” explores the harsh lives of characters on society’s margins, caught in cycles of violence, addiction, and desperation.
Through vivid and sometimes shocking episodes, Selby paints a powerful picture of working-class struggles in 1950s Brooklyn, offering unfiltered honesty that Bukowski readers often seek.
If you appreciate Bukowski’s straightforward gaze at life’s rough edges, Selby’s portrayal of these complex, troubled souls might resonate deeply with you.
Charles Baudelaire shares with Bukowski a raw honesty and a deep exploration of human life, emphasizing its darker and overlooked aspects. His most famous work, “The Flowers of Evil,” is a poetry collection published in the 19th century.
The poems explore the gritty corners of urban life, human vices, despair, and the beauty found within darkness.
Baudelaire created controversy in his time by confronting taboo topics like sex, death, and depression, and he vividly described the harsh realities of existence with an unflinching eye.
For readers drawn to Bukowski’s straightforward, gritty portrayal of life’s harsh realities, Baudelaire’s poetic style and profound themes offer a powerful reading experience.
Jean Genet was a French author and playwright known for writing about characters most of society viewed as outcasts or criminals.
His book “Our Lady of the Flowers” focuses on the Parisian criminal underworld, vividly portraying life through characters like Divine, a drag queen, and Darling, a charming young criminal. Genet wrote this book in prison.
His prose has a raw honesty and directness, which resonates well with readers who appreciate Charles Bukowski’s straightforward and gritty style. “Our Lady of the Flowers” offers readers an intense look at the beauty and sorrow hidden inside a harsh world.
Tom Waits is a musician and storyteller whose gritty, poetic style echoes the themes Charles Bukowski fans appreciate—tales of outsiders, loners, and the overlooked people who live on society’s edges.
In his book “Innocent When You Dream,” Waits offers a collection of interviews, conversations, and reflections that span decades of his career. He shares stories of smoky bars, late nights, and eccentric characters.
The book paints vivid, sometimes surreal portraits of those who struggle yet manage to find dignity and humor in difficult circumstances. The narratives capture life’s messiness through sharp wit and poetic honesty.
For readers who already enjoy Bukowski’s straight-talk storytelling, Tom Waits’s “Innocent When You Dream” offers another voice rich in humanity and offbeat charm.
Larry Brown was a firefighter turned author from Mississippi who wrote stories about ordinary people facing tough realities. His book “Joe” shows readers the gritty life of a hard-living, whiskey-drinking ex-con named Joe Ransom.
Joe hires Gary Jones—a fifteen-year-old boy from an abusive home—to help him clear trees from a patch of Mississippi forest. Their unlikely bond becomes a bittersweet lifeline in their troubled lives.
Readers who like Charles Bukowski’s direct, unpolished portrayal of life’s rough edges may also appreciate Brown’s honest look at hardship, violence, and the small glimmers of hope that can surface even in adversity.
Books by Richard Brautigan often blend humor, melancholy, and oddball charm into stories that linger. If you enjoy Charles Bukowski’s direct and gritty approach, you might connect with Brautigan’s quirky yet sharp style. One of his notable works is “Trout Fishing in America.”
This book isn’t a traditional novel. It mixes short vignettes, whimsical stories, and keen observations about everyday life and society. Brautigan uses trout fishing as a playful symbol for freedom, adventure, and the strange pursuit of dreams.
His characters pop up in odd situations, each story reflecting a fresh, imaginative view of the American experience. Brautigan’s writing mixes the absurd with the very real, creating vivid and unforgettable scenes.
If you enjoy Charles Bukowski’s raw honesty and gritty portrayal of life, then Denis Johnson might catch your interest. Johnson’s collection “Jesus’ Son” is a series of short stories narrated by a character known only as “Fuckhead.”
He drifts through addiction, chaotic encounters, and moments of surreal clarity. Johnson portrays life’s bleak moments with humor and humanity, similar to Bukowski’s works. In stories like “Emergency,” Johnson shows his characters in darkly funny and oddly tender situations.
The writing is direct, unpretentious, and cuts straight to life’s messy heart.