Post Office (novel)

Post Office is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Charles Bukowski, published in 1971 by Black Sparrow Press. The novel details the life of Henry Chinaski, Bukowski's recurring alter ego, as he works as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in Los Angeles.

The narrative follows Chinaski's experiences as a clerk and later as a mailman, depicting the drudgery, frustration, and absurdity of bureaucratic employment. It explores themes of alienation, alcoholism, gambling, and relationships, portraying Chinaski's struggles with authority, his disinterest in conventional societal norms, and his constant search for escape through sex and intoxication.

Post Office is characterized by Bukowski's signature minimalist prose style, raw language, and unflinching honesty. It offers a cynical and often darkly humorous perspective on the working class experience and the human condition. While fictionalized, the novel is heavily based on Bukowski's own years of working for the postal service, providing a gritty and unflinching portrayal of the job and its impact on his life. The novel is considered one of Bukowski's most important and enduring works, establishing his reputation as a voice of the disaffected and a chronicler of everyday life.