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Hollywood Paperback – January 1, 1989

by Charles Bukowski (Author)

1,170 ratings

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From iconic tortured artist/everyman Charles Bukowski, Hollywood is the fictionalization of his experience adapting his novel Barfly into a movie by the same name.

Henry Chinaski, Bukowski’s alter-ego, is pushed to translate a semi-autobiographical book into a screenplay for John Pinchot. He reluctantly agrees, and is thrust into the otherworld called Hollywood, with its parade of eccentric and maddening characters: producers, artists, actors and actresses, film executives and journalists. In this world, the artistry of books and film is lost to the dollar, and Chinaski struggles to keep his footing in the tangle of cons that comprise movie making.

Hollywood is Dirty Old Man Bukowski at his most lucid. It overflows with curses, sex, and alcohol. And through it all, or from it all, Bukowski finds flashes of truth about the human condition.

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Bukowski ( The Roominghouse Madrigals ) has written over 30 books of poetry and fiction in which he uses the persona of the artistic bum with reasonable success. In this flimsy novel, Henry Chinaski is asked to write a screenplay, and thus Bukowski continues his thinly disguised autobiography (Bukowski himself wrote the screenplay for the recent, self-referential Barfly ). When all the Hollywood types Chinaski encounters--directors, lawyers, producers, actors, actresses--fit the same drunken-outcast-but-artistic-genius mold, Bukowski seems to have exhausted his resourcefulness. His characters lose their individuality and the novel lacks force and perspective. This book deteriorates into juvenile satire in which familiar, real-life figures appear with the letters of their names shifted slightly: the famous director Jon-Luc Modard, the philosopher Jean-Paul Sanrah, Frances Ford Lopalla and an obvious Norman Mailer stand-in called Victor Norman.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this hilarious roman a clef, Bukowski draws on his experiences while writing the script for the 1987 film Barfly. Henry Chinaski, the author's alter ego in the film, here returns to write--despite misgivings--a Hollywood screenplay, The Dance of Jim Beam. The film is based on Chinaski's early life as a barfly and brawler, before he became a famous author. As he and his companion Sarah are caught up in the Hollywood whirlwind, Bukowski satirizes a host of well-known movie personalities. While Bukowski fans will welcome the reappearance of Chinaski, with his penchant for booze, women, and horse racing, film buffs should enjoy the novel for its delightful and irreverent portrayal of Hollywood. Highly recommended.
- William Gargan, Brooklyn Coll. Lib., CUNY
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ecco
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 1989
Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0876857632
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0876857632
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.88 x 0.62 x 8.94 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #138,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #181 in Dark Humor
- #3,635 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #4,602 in Literary Fiction (Books)

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Charles Bukowski

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Charles Bukowski is one of America's best-known contemporary writers of poetry and prose, and, many would claim, its most influential and imitated poet. He was born in Andernach, Germany, and raised in Los Angeles, where he lived for fifty years. He published his first story in 1944, when he was twenty-four, and began writing poetry at the age of thirty-five. He died in San Pedro, California, on March 9, 1994, at the age of seventy-three, shortly after completing his last novel, Pulp (1994).

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and easy to read, with one review noting it reads like a true narrative. They appreciate its humor, with one mentioning how it captures the absurdities of movie-making, and they value its insightful perspective. The plot receives mixed reactions, with one customer describing it as not very plot-heavy.

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Readability Writing style Humor Insight Fun ride Plot

39 customers mention "Readability"32 positive7 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read.

"This guy is an amazing writer, so glad I finally found him. Funny, inciteful and so interesting as a character." Read more

"...A teal interesting perspective from a Hollywood outsider and a great writer of the time." Read more

"...Hollywood is a fun read filled with the bizarre that first time readers of Bukowski will enjoy." Read more

"...his conduct is far more acceptable and he is generally civil and productive - finally.. As other reviewers have said, Charles Bukowski's writing..." Read more

21 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it easy to read and perfectly expressed, with one customer noting its brutally honest prose.

"This guy is an amazing writer, so glad I finally found him. Funny, inciteful and so interesting as a character." Read more

"...interesting perspective from a Hollywood outsider and a great writer of the time." Read more

"...said, Charles Bukowski's writing provides a model to other writers for clear, simple, and precise language...." Read more

"...This was an easy read and it gave a glimpse of the Hollywood life. Quite ironic how as someone who doesn't drink I enjoy his stories about drinking...." Read more

20 customers mention "Humor"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with one noting how the movie references add to the entertainment value, while another appreciates how it captures the absurdity of the film industry.

"Funny, candid, crazy account of Bukowski's experience with getting BARFLY filmed...." Read more

"...Like the town it is named after, Bukowski's Hollywood is fun, funny, droll, and pathetic...." Read more

"...This book actually is quite funny and barely depraved for Charles and mainly is an excellent overview on how independent movies are made...." Read more

"...He has a way of shining a light on a situation, revealing truth and the absolute bizarreness of the movie business...." Read more

9 customers mention "Insight"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and interesting, with one customer noting how it makes them reflect on their humanity.

"...He's a soul at peace here, but still insightful, funny and honest. Almost like BUK without the mask" Read more

"Timeless!! A teal interesting perspective from a Hollywood outsider and a great writer of the time." Read more

"...He has a way of shining a light on a situation, revealing truth and the absolute bizarreness of the movie business...." Read more

"...There's way more self reflection here. He's brutally honest as always but this is way more of a sad goodbye story...." Read more

6 customers mention "Fun ride"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one describing it as a wild ride.

"Not his best but still kind of fun." Read more

"...Like the town it is named after, Bukowski's Hollywood is fun, funny, droll, and pathetic...." Read more

"This the third novel I've read of Bukowski, and I loved every movement of it...." Read more

"...Bukowski strips the charade away and takes you for a good ride." Read more

12 customers mention "Plot"8 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot of the book, with one customer finding it fascinating, while another notes it is not very plot-heavy.

"...This was an easy read and it gave a glimpse of the Hollywood life. Quite ironic how as someone who doesn't drink I enjoy his stories about drinking...." Read more

"...The plot twists are so absurd, the characters so vapid and vain, they must be based on real life...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book for the narrative it gives on how Hollywood works...." Read more

"...A lot of laughs in this modern work.And some great barbs at Hollywood and how it really works." Read more

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Stevey Ray
Bukowski is the man
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I mean.. it’s a Bukowski novel. 10 stars

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Bryant Miller
Write about what what you know!
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
And boy does Bukowski know about being an anti social drunk. This book actually is quite funny and barely depraved for Charles and mainly is an excellent overview on how independent movies are made. Basically its a wonder any movie makes it to completion and why so many turn out to be a mess. Hooray for Hollywood!

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Chris I
Bukowski being pure Bukowski
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Funny, candid, crazy account of Bukowski's experience with getting BARFLY filmed. As writer, his role straddled that weird line of 'very involved', and 'not involved at all' with the movie's production -- which is the perfect place for a person like Bukowski, who shows us all of the behind-the-scenes ridiculousness one could imagine for this project. He stays true to himself throughout, which gives us someone to cheer for, throughout the various misadventures. This book is a quick read, and a good one, for anyone who is a fan.

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5 people found this helpful

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A Critic's Eye
Good Read; Wild Ride
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2017
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I'm a Bukowski fan, so this may be slanted. I loved Hollywood. I've worked in the business and still do to some degree. Hollywood, though exaggerated at times, rang true to what I've witnessed and experienced during my time behind the lights. But what really stands out is Bukowski's bits of wisdom that may cause a moment of reflection on the reader's part. He has a way of shining a light on a situation, revealing truth and the absolute bizarreness of the movie business. It's fun to try and figure out who his pseudonyms reference in real life. My advice is to wait until you've finished the book before looking them up. It is a work of fiction based on his experiences making Barfly, a favorite movie of mine, as well. Hollywood is a fun read filled with the bizarre that first time readers of Bukowski will enjoy.

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3 people found this helpful

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Michael Roof
The last of Henry Chinaski
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is the final book in a series of 5 novels narrating the life of fictional character Henry Chinaski, who is more or less based on Charles Bukowsi himself. By this time in his life, Henry Chinaski is settled down and fairly successful, and though he is still grossly alcoholic, his conduct is far more acceptable and he is generally civil and productive - finally.. As other reviewers have said, Charles Bukowski's writing provides a model to other writers for clear, simple, and precise language. I found his writing quite enlightening in loosening up some the prose in my own novels. I'm sorry to have finished the series. I have only his final book, Pulp, left to read.

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6 people found this helpful

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Bill Abeleven
Bukowski's tired now
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2013
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This book wasn't as raw and honest as Ham On Rye. This effort of Bukowski's read like he was tired - jaded. Playing with the big end of town seemed like hard yards for him. I think he didn't belong with the people he was hanging with, and for them he was just the latest flavor to commercialize. Nothing wrong with that for either he nor them, but it seemed to me that he was describing himself at a time when the worst of his life was already over, and it was his take on the worst of his life that has been so interesting. Anyway, it was ok - I finished reading it.

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3 people found this helpful

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lidz
The Franco-American New Wave
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
One of my favourite chapters of "Hollywood" was the last -- Chapter 46. This is where Chinaski (Bukowski) seems to really begin to think about things and analyze them. Of course with his last line: "And this is it." it is obvious that Bukowski had this all planned from Page 1. Even with said planning, I would say that "Hollywood" is one of his best books. Much of the essence of the book reads like a primer in the manner of "Dick and Jane" make a movie. The repetition of "the movie's on, the movie's off" is overly simplistic. Although other of Bukowski's works have been published posthumously, "Hollywood" is his next to last novel in his lifetime. It comes off feeling like he had already run out of gas.

The intent is obvious and clever enough. Bukowski invokes the Masters --most thinly disguised with just different name spellings to "protect the guilty and/or innocent. Jon-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut, Pauline Kael, Jean-Paul Sartre, et. al. So we have a Franco-American farcical satire of the entire Hollywood scene. This includes the references to Musso & Franks, Werner Herzog, Charles Manson, et. al. Just as Fitzgerald knew his Hollywood, so did Bukowski know his. As anyone might say, Bukowski is no Fitzgerald, but Bukowski can stand in as a contemporary Fitzgerald. The drink, the dissolution, the writer's torment and mental and moral struggles, the insecurity. All the extras, the hangers-on, the flunkies and the props and some of the swag are there, too. The Hollywood press such as it was and or is. Bukowski has covered the waterfront in his murky way, and "Hollywood" can be read simultaneously with "Variety" and "The Hollywood Reporter."

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2 people found this helpful

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Wquilliam
My least favorite Bukowski...
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is alright, and if you love Bukowski then you should read it, but definitely no where near my favorite. It actually seemed to give Bukowski a clean different look about him... I felt like he became a boring old man trying to keep up with his old dirty image. Sad, but it was sad to realize while reading this. Anyway, read this before watching the movie "Barfly", and if you read this then you must watch that movie... and if you watched the movie already and haven't read this, then read this to understand how horrible the movie was to even Bukowski and why it turned out so bad. It's also great to look up the other actors and directors that at one point wanted to be a part of that movie... it would have been way better of a film and this novel would have been better too if they let another director and actors do it.

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4 people found this helpful

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zafer tuncer
Büyük yazar
Reviewed in Turkey on December 8, 2022
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Buko yine döktürmüş

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Michel Bidault Valle
Excelente
Reviewed in Mexico on July 25, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
El libro llegó en perfectas condiciones, uno más a mi colección de bukowsky

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A. M. Hyde
One For The Road
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2025
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A good example of Bukowski’s art. He writes as he speaks, and here he tells a great tale of how the film Barfly was written, produced, filmed and released. As ever, Bukowski’s characters are both wholly implausible and totally believable; from threatening to cut off their own fingers to get their own way, dancing on Rolls Royces and, obviously, drinking as much as they can, where ever they are. And in the middle of it all, is Bukowski, as his literary alter ego Henry Chinanski, scowling, laughing, mocking and throwing bottles and hand grenades at Hollywood, the media, writers and, of course, himself. An excellent read, then watch the film. That’s my next move.

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AK
Enjoyable Bukowski novel
Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2021
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
a very enjoyable bukowski novel

had me laughing a lot

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Derya Kocak
Genial!
Reviewed in Germany on February 27, 2021
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Ich habe mal gelesen, dass die Bücher von Charles Bukowski, in den USA, am meisten geklaut werden...ich kann es mir gut vorstellen! Denn seine Bücher sind fernab vom Mainstream, mutig, klug und schonungslos direkt geschrieben. Bukowski Fans kommen auch hier auf ihre Kosten. Eines seiner berühmten Bücher. Es hat Inhalt und ist mit einer gewissen Finesse geschrieben. Er ist der Rockstar unter den Schriftstellern. Ich habe seine Bücher in mehreren Sprachen gelesen und habe sie trotzdem gut verstanden und gefühlt. Ps: Man muss kein Bukowski Fan sein, um seine Bücher bzw. Schreibweise zu mögen!

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The Decline of the Hollywood Empire, according to Bukowski.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Büyük yazar

5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente

5.0 out of 5 stars One For The Road

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Bukowski novel

5.0 out of 5 stars Genial!

Büyük yazar

Excelente

One For The Road

Enjoyable Bukowski novel

Genial!