Hollywood

By: Charles Bukowski

Narrated by: Christian Baskous

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.

Bukowski on making Barfly

Baskous is a great narrator. A fun novel from Bukowski about making Barfly. Very nice

Buk Lives!

If you could sum up Hollywood in three words, what would they be?

Couldn't stop listening

What did you like best about this story?

Bukowski's best book

What about Christian Baskous’s performance did you like?

Christian Baskous did a great job. Bukowski comes alive with the reading and my wife even thought that it was Buk's voice.
In a way it was.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Any additional comments?

I also downloaded Pulp.

Easily his funniest book

Was a huge fan of Ham… But I’ve changed my mind. This book’s Story, writing, insight into life, humor… and the Performance was incredible. Bukowski’s best novel. Best characters. Great book.

Great book

Loved the way the narrator spoke in the book, i felt as if I was there watching everything as it happened!

fantastic real world art

Christian captured the very essence and attitude(s) of CB.

a roller coaster ride through the dark recesses of Hollywood. enjoyed it as much as the book