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Charles Bukowski

The Most Beautiful Woman in Town & Other Stories Paperback – January 1, 2001

by Charles Bukowski (Author)

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—

These mad immortal stories, now surfaced from the literary underground, have addicted legions of American readers, even though the high literary establishment continues to ignore them. In Europe, however (particularly in Germany, Italy, and France where he is published by the great publishing houses), he is critically recognized as one of America's greatest realist writers.

"Collections such as The Most Beautiful Woman in Town (1983) . . . showcase Bukowski's impressive narrative and creative abilities in stories that most often take place in bars and dingy apartments but are not simply about sex and alcohol. They're about staying alive in a world where the only choice for the majority of us is to face a firing squad in an office every day—the post office, in Bukowski's case—or maintain a commitment to creativity as we struggle to pay for food and a meager place to live." —Adam Perry, Santa Fe Reporter

Charles Bukowski was born in Andernach, Germany on August 16, 1920, the only child of an American soldier and a German mother. At the age of three, he came with his family to the United States and grew up in Los Angeles. He attended Los Angeles City College from 1939 to 1941, then left school and moved to New York City to become a writer. His lack of publishing success at this time caused him to give up writing in 1946 and spurred a ten-year stint of heavy drinking. After he developed a bleeding ulcer, he decided to take up writing again. He worked a wide range of jobs to support his writing, including dishwasher, truck driver and loader, mail carrier, guard, gas station attendant, stock boy, warehouse worker, shipping clerk, post office clerk, parking lot attendant, Red Cross orderly, and elevator operator. He also worked in a dog biscuit factory, a slaughterhouse, a cake and cookie factory, and he hung posters in New York City subways.

Bukowski published his first story when he was twenty-four and began writing poetry at the age of thirty-five. His first book of poetry was published in 1959; he went on to publish more than forty-five books of poetry and prose, including Pulp (Black Sparrow, 1994), Screams from the Balcony: Selected Letters 1960-1970 (1993), and The Last Night of the Earth Poems (1992). He died of leukemia in San Pedro on March 9, 1994.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Bukowski was born in Andernach, Germany in 1920 and brought to Los Angeles at age three. Using the city as a backdrop for his work, Bukowski wrote prolifically, publishing over fifty volumes of poetry and prose. He died in San Pedro, California on March 9, 1994. His books are widely translated and posthumous volumes continue to appear.

Product details

Item Weight : 10.5 ounces
ISBN-10 : 0872861562
ISBN-13 : 978-0872861565
Paperback : 240 pages
Product Dimensions : 5.3 x 0.7 x 8 inches
Publisher : City Lights Publishers; 0th Edition (January 1, 2001)
Language: : English

Best-sellers rank #109,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#38 in Tablesetting & Cooking
#272 in American Fiction Anthologies
#290 in Home Decorating (Books)

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75 ratings

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5 star		74%
4 star		17%
3 star		3%
2 star		4%
1 star		1%

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JustPlainBill

Uneven

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2019

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Having read and enjoyed Bukowski’s novels “Ham on Rye” and “Post Office,” I looked forward to reading this collection of his short stories. There are some real gems in this collection, but overall it is generous to call the collection even “a mixed bag.”

The writing in Bukowski’s novels is earthy, often blithely pornographic and profane, and describes life from society’s ruder reaches. But the voice is his, and feels authentic. So coming from his two novels, I expected more of the same. However, many of these stories descend from that already low perspective, and contain so much of that (smut and profanity) that it almost feels forced. It is certainly gratuitous and without any specific purpose. Although there are some stories where this foulness manages to pry some hilarity out of a situation, the pornography does not titillate at all, and merely disgusts.

The title story is probably one of the best in the book. At the other extreme is “The Fiend,” which is a truly sick and disgusting story describing the rape of a young child in lurid detail. The others are in between, but at least for the most part don’t touch on any universal taboos.

Just recently I saw in an article about the top 10 most stolen books. It said that any book written by Bukowski was on that list. Perhaps that is because buyers are too embarrassed to face a bookstore cashier that might also be familiar with what is in them.

NOTE: The physical quality of the print book (published by City Lights Books) is excellent. The cover and paper are both of decent quality and will withstand repeated readings.

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Matthew Smith

A great collection

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2009

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The very first story in this collection solidified this work and the author as more than the average writer for me. The lead story for which this book is named is the best story in the whole collection. It shows the power of Bukowski like no other story can. While so much of the rest of this book is filled with his self-righteous condemnation of the world that hasn't seen the "truth" as he has, the lead story stands out as a really beautiful and outstanding story. This book is worth the price of purchase for that story alone.

Of course the rest of the book is filled with the wonderful Bukowski filth and flare for the seedier sides of life which makes for a great read as well. Life In A Texas Whorehouse and Six Inches are just fun stories that are great reads that make you feel like you need a shower after reading.

The problem I have is with stories like The Gut-Wringing Machine which is another story where you get to see how delusional everyone else is that hasn't seen the light like Bukowski has. I have no problem with this or any other author exposing normal folks delusions about there own mediocre existence, but I generally like to have the writers exposing these delusions or our society to be a little more introspective themselves.

This is a great collection of stories that will entertain and make the reader cringe at the same time. This entire work has the blunt charm and brazen language that makes this author wonderful to read. Other than Ham On Rye this is his most powerful work.

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J. Wilson

Raw, Raunchy, Buk.

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2015

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Chuck Buk, what more to say. Raw, Raunchy, Buk. Never got over himself. Never got over writing it all down. Never got over being drunk, I guess. This is the 1st part, "Tales of Ordinary Madness" is the 2nd part, BUY BOTH. Use them for BATHROOM READING if nothing else, I do, and for reading on transit on the way to work, and at lunchtime at work eating and reading at my desk. My co-workers do not know...

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Dayani Boatman

Raunchy to another level

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2020

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There were few stories within the book that I enjoyed, although the work ranged from raunchy to “what the hell?”. Many of the stories were not my taste and the story about a child molester written in a view of pornographic way horrified me. The story about turning mortals into someone new was extremely confusing along with a few others.

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Laney

A fantastic collection of short stories

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2016

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A fantastic collection of short stories. The title and first story, "the most beautiful woman in town," is one you can read again and again. It's so delicately written and hauntingly beautiful. The other stories jump around from subject to subject, all in Bukowski's traditional style. I don't think there is a bad one in there!

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Dah

For the Buk

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2020

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Excellent delivery time, and the book was "slightly used" as stated by the sender,
yet, it was in very good condition.

Thank you!

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Palma

Great Bukowski Short Stories

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2019

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If you read Bukowski, then you know exactly what to expect from this collection of short stories. The best.

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JessC

Bukowski. Yes.

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017

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I really love his short stories. 'Tales of Ordinary Madness' is closer to my heart, but this is really just as great as any Bukowski.

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Beatrice Maude

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING

Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2017

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Bukowski's book of short stories doesn't fail to please. He's vulgar, sometimes over the top disgusting, but I don't mind, that's what makes him amusing and different from any author I've read. Quite often he is introspective and thoughtful so you forgive him for being a lascivious drunk. If you don't offend easily and you want to be entertained by an excellent story teller (many are autobiographical), then I highly recommend this book.

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Phil-Don

Obscène et déplaisant...

Reviewed in France on February 19, 2010

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C'est après avoir lu et beaucoup apprécié la nouvelle "Bring Me Your Love" de Bukowski que j'ai commandé ce recueil. Et quelle déception! Si l'on excepte la nouvelle en titre et une ou deux autres (notamment "The Murder of Ramon Vasquez"), j'ai trouvé le reste sans intérêt, déplaisant, voire malsain. A quelques exceptions près, c'est toujours la même histoire qui se répète: celle d'un ivrogne obsédé par le sexe, l'alcool et les courses. L'écriture est souvent obscène, relatant les divagations pronographiques de l'auteur. Bukowski n'est sans doute pas dénué de talent, on le sent bien, mais il l'emploie bien mal et gâche tout par ses pathétiques obsessions.

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