Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski (1920-1994), American poet and novelist, was born in Andernach, Germany and moved to Los Angeles, California three years later. He acknowledged Anton Chekhov, Ernest Hemingway and others as influences on his writing, and was also knowledgeable about classical music. He was extremely prolific, publishing over 40 books of poetry and prose between 1960 and the early 1990s.

Bukowski spent much of his life sleeping on the streets, and was a long-term functioning alcoholic. One of his poems describes his enjoyment of having a medical checkup at which he found that his drinking had had no perceptible effect on his health.

The film Barfly, starring Mickey Rourke, was based on his life.

Books

Neeli Cherkowski - Bukowski – A Life