I'm aware of that. It was me voting for 'HAM' being his Best novel (on the very first day of that poll) !!!
Only - when people ask me, where to start Bukowski, I don't give a standard-answer.
It's a question of many things:
Is the person a 'reader' or a 'non-reader'?
Is he/she into poetry?
Did he/she hear about Bukowski before? - and What was it they heared?
etc.
Coming to Bukowski through a question (or answer) like "This dipsomaniacal author wrote Post Office", I'd definitely say: Start with that one!
I dunno if bigbri is a 'regular reader' or not. But I DO know, that 'Post Office' is a fine book for both kinds.
It's fun and tragic. You can read it at the bus-station or in the crapper or drinking after a long days work.
It's Bukowski as we love him, without too much clichee (like in some of the short-stories) and without too many things, that need knowledge beforehand.
It's sort of an essence.
And to a starter like bigbri, I'd say: Go for it!
- uh-oh!
I'm starting to write long essays. Time to go to bed, I guess!
