Factotum by Charles Bukowski - BOOK REVIEW

05/03/22 • 43 min

This episode centers around “Factotum”, written by the infamous and widely imitated Charles Bukowski. As the name implies, Factotum tells the story of a worker’s life, but Henry Chinaski (Bukowski’s self inspired antihero) is not your average worker— unless your idea of an average worker is someone who constantly drinks, fights, philanders, and writes poetry. Join us as we discuss Bukowski’s unique philosophy on work, women, and a system that’s apparently designed to keep the little guy down.

Every sale supports local bookstores.
Bookshop is on a mission to financially support your local, independent bookstores.
Socially Conscious. Fast Shipping. Huge Selection.
https://bookshop.org/shop/bannedbookclub

If you liked or didn't like this episode, let us know.
Leave us a comment and subscribe to our channel!
BannedBookClubPodcast.comSubscribe to our Youtube Channel hereFollow us on Instagram: @bannedbookclubpod
Follow us on Facebook: @bannedbookclubpod
Email us at [email protected]

Previous Episode

The Last Temptation Of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis BOOK REVIEW

In this episode, we explore the expanded fictionalized version of Jesus’ life in Nikos Kazantakis “The Last Temptation of Christ”. This story follows the Bible loosely, using Kazantakis thoughts on what Christ must’ve felt before being crucified. It focuses mainly on his struggles of being human in every sense of the word dealing with earthly temptations such as fear, doubt, lust, violence, and reluctance. We explore this banned novel and decide whether or not it is as blasphemous as the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Church claimed it to be.

Next Episode

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - Book Review

In this episode, we review “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert. Published in 1856 - the novel was deemed a threat to morality and caused Flaubert to face charges in the French court - because of the searingly detailed account it gives of protagonist Emma Bovary’s romantic affairs. But the book is anything but romantic - widely considered to be the first ‘modern novel’- Madame Bovary ushered in a new era in fiction by handling its controversial subject matter with a camera like neutrality. The infrequent good, the overwhelmingly banal, and the repulsively ugly details of life are on full display here, - presented in a distanced ‘coolness’ that shaped the mold for modern fiction. Join us as we discuss one of the most influential banned books in history.
Links:
Atlantic Article on Flaubert:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1882/08/a-note-on-flaubert/633293/
James Woods - How Fiction Works
https://slate.com/culture/2008/07/james-wood-s-how-fiction-works.html
It’s Too Late to Apologize - Book Review on Madame Bovary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNZCSodyvQQ&ab_channel=It%27sTooLatetoApologize
A note on Flaubert
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1882/08/a-note-on-flaubert/633293/
0:00 Intro
3:10 About the Novel
7:10 Why it’s banned/style of writing
9:10 Who is Emma Bovary?
13:10 Gustave Flaubert’s Realism/ Style of Writing
22:10 More on realism/Best scenes
27:30 Message of the novel
31:50 Analysis of Emma Bovary
36:20 Charles Bovary / Leon & Rodolphe
43:00 Final Thoughts