Post Office by Charles Bukowski is a very short novel that should only be read by older readers because of the numerous references to women and sex. There isn't really a climax to the story because it revolves around work, but it has humour throughout, thus it will not bore the reader. I did not like that the women in the novel are seen as worthless things that are only there for Henry to sleep with and are not good for anything else.

Post Office is written through the eyes of Henry Chinaski, a middle aged man, whose life revolves around drinking and women. Henry's life at the U.S. Postal Service began as a mistake during Christmas season when the post office would hire anyone.

As a substitute mail carrier, Henry tells about his life at the post office and his carelessness of his work. There are his superior with impossible demands, and Henry talking back to them and disappearing from work for days at a time. Every morning when he comes into work, he has a hangover. Henry hates work and his workplace is unorganized and irrational, yet he must earn to survive.

After getting bored of the post office numerous times, Henry quits, yet always makes it back there after going through different jobs and different women. Although Henry describes his life humorously, he seems like a terribly lonely man, which will seem more noticeable in the later parts of the novel. The story then continues in Charles Bukowski's other novel called Women.

4.5/5

I don't know why it took me so long to finally read Bukowski. I've been interested in most of his major contemporaries, but for some reason have never gotten to him. You must pick up Bukowski now!

Post Office is one of the greatest books that I have ever read. It is semi-autobiographical of Bukowski's own experience working at the post office, and it is absolutely hilarious. The book isn't overly plot driven, but it is still hard to put down as Bukowski's alter ego Henry Chinaski loafs around getting drunk, shacking up with random women, and going from job to job but always ending up back at the post office.

Buk's first novel is the story of Henry Chinaski and his lousy job at the post office. When he's not working, he goes to the track, drinks too much and has a series of girlfriends. Sure he's a loser but he tells some great stories that make for an easy, compelling read.