Factotum by Charles Bukowski Audiobook

[@42fontenator]

Half of keeping a job is pretending to care. That alone is exhausting.

[@ratusbagus]

I really DID care. It didn't make any difference.

[@verdancyhime]

​@@ratusbagus actually caring is just as bad as not pretending to care as well, I've found.

[@Crytoboxer35]

Go get a jeob

[@dennismason3740]

Linda Lee married Charles Bukowski and they moved into a beautiful house in San Pedro with their cats. In 1980 I was homeless and hanging out at Diane's apartment and Linda was there drinking wine and Diane went out clubbing and left Linda and I to hang out and drink red wine. She talked a lot about her boyfriend and she told me his name, which I recognized due to his weekly column in the L.A. Free Press - Notes From a Dirty Old Man. I had never read the column nor the Free Press. We drank and talked, I forget the rest of the night. The next day I went to the West Hollywood Library on San Vicente. I read this book - Factotum - and I was laughing so hard I was asked to leave the library. I checked out the book and left.

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

Did you steal this book from the library ? For some reason I am hoping you did . 😳😜

[@DoroteoVilla]

“I’m halfway through a novel” “What’s it about?” “Everything” “Everything?” “Yes” “Is it about cancer?” “Yes” “Is it about my wife?” “She’s in there too” Gold.

[@inezeaton]

3:04:11 “How in the hell could a man enjoy being awakened at 6:30 AM by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force feed, shit, piss, brush teeth and hair and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

[@scotthumphrey8773]

"I realized it wasn't enough to do the job, you had to show an interest, have a passion for it."

[@Pddy-je8pn]

It probably wasn't Jersey Joe Walcott.

[@michaelsteven1090]

Thats an easy answer that nobody knows-2023

[@JeffreySmith84]

So apt! It's maddening to be a professional at whatever your job is and have it be insufficient. The bosses don't just want you to be an underpaid wage slave - they want your spirit broken. They want you to be *grateful* for your servitude.

[@inezeaton]

I guarantee the only reason most corporate spots have “passionate” higher-ups is because they have a percentage. Give a low level stock options and they’ll be interested wholeheartedly in making that business succeed. Otherwise when they ask for passion, they’re asking you to be passionate for the money they’re making. It’s the proverbial salted wound.

[@inezeaton]

3:04:11 “How in the hell could a man enjoy being awakened at 6:30 AM by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force feed, shit, piss, brush teeth and hair, fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

[@ratusbagus]

I encountered a friend online, 45 years after we lost contact. He reminded me of the shit job we had gotten together, in a huge London flour mill for the school summer break. We were given different mindless shit tasks every day and generally larked around doing very little. He was laughing at the memory and reminded me of the irony of the only day that we put in genuinely hard effort for a long tougth day of useful work, was the day we got fired at clocking off time. Because the foreman was giving the jobs to his nephews. It taught us that nobody actually cares. Especially at the bottom. It was a good time to learn that. We each made sure not to remain down there at a level that doing without you was easy.

[@paulbucklebuckle4921]

Exactly.

[@Hannah_The_Elon_Jew]

She loose.

[@ratusbagus]

@@Hannah_The_Elon_Jew?

[@nicholaseisenreich6553]

Listening to this book while I drive my truck for work. Really helps the day go

[@0tt0z]

Safe journeys to you.

[@SteveNoverini]

Semi truck? Me too!

[@doodahman2995]

Me too. Hammer Down brother.

[@MarsOrBust-d9h]

Blow me, Blow Job

[@cornsyruptrucker]

Same! 🚚

[@michaelshipman5397]

i missed who is doing the narrating for this grand novel by one of the best underrated authors i wholeheartedly recommend watching this movie a true piece of art!

[@antherthalmhersser7239]

Christian Baskus

[@JeffreySmith84]

I'm almost 40 but I've never relented in my rejection of the bullshit Protestant Work Ethic and its defenders. I've worked blue collar jobs and belonged to multiple labor unions over the years. Bukowski's Post Office has been one I re-read every few years but until now I've never checked out the other novels. Currently enjoying this for the first time at work (I'm an overnight baker) and it seems appropriate to be on the clock loving every minute of these audiobooks while I take a number of unsanctioned breaks. Thanks for posting!

[@MyPrivateProperty]

Hell yeah. Listening to this during another a shift as a dishwasher.

[@JeffreySmith84]

@@MyPrivateProperty I was a dishwasher for about two months in Chicago. Walked off the job after my hipster boss told me she could no longer supply me with laundered aprons to wear.

[@stormthepitbull]

Same as

[@Rider3322]

The bible says "Love thy neighbour!" "That could mean leaving them alone!" 🤣 I love this guy!

[@Hannah_The_Elon_Jew]

Neely FUELLER.

[@coalblooded]

Precisely. I treat others as I'd like to be treated. This means leaving them alone, never calling them, and avoiding eye contact if I happen to see them in public.

[@keithmurf426]

Unconditional love can take many forms.

[@elvynjones2489]

I used to get jobs thru Manpower, hours of mindnumbing, soul-stealing drudgery. Some have a tolerance, even enthusiasm, for tedium. People knew i wasn't thankful for the life they were stealing from me.

[@cornsyruptrucker]

Retail?

[@FauxFoe]

1:09:59 I've experienced this mentality in warehouse/manufacturing jobs. It still persists.

[@Senior62]

I love it! Made new and fresh. The old days were tough for everyone. Even love was mean.

[@AgentMorgan2010]

You don't know the half of it, grandpa.

[@marsoblivi0n945]

Far worse today. We have a plague of narcism and most will prob never own even a small house soon.

[@markburkeyjr9806]

I love this book.. I never in my life related more to a story..

[@vano758]

great comment.... samesie

[@trippmoore]

@@vano758I didn’t know Bukowski personally, but I’m certain he never used the word “samesie”.

[@vano758]

Perhaps..... I'm a learner of English, so you surely know better if it's an okay word or not. I thought it was,@@trippmoore

[@mediamogul6643]

But he's a good for nothing, wastrel alcoholic bum ... what are you saying exactly? 😅

[@Dexiray]

@@trippmoore and? it's obvs vano does, bestie.

[@guitarjym]

LOVE the narration. Thank you!

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

The guy reading this is fucking brilliant. Perfect.

[@Dino_Medici]

It’s insane haha

[@joelhammer2111]

Great narrator.

[@sassymess7111]

Im already enjoying this. I'm trying to fall asleep. I'm going to start over in the while I work. Going to NOLA in January.

[@Senior62]

One of the best.

[@markseeley8476]

Check out John Fante, Bukowski's hero. Ask the dust, Tales from Bunker hill, Road to Los Angeles and Wait until to the spring Bandini

[@DSPHistoricalSociety]

Bro how you gonna leave _'the wine of youth'_ off?

[@piggerGg]

@@DSPHistoricalSocietyThe wine of youth is extremely poorly written.

[@DSPHistoricalSociety]

@@piggerGg not

[@paulbuckle8459]

Self employed for years , I am grateful , I couldn't stand a boss 😊

[@simonsmith5003]

Can't beat a man who is able to talk about being a drunk,masterbating and generally making the wrong decision or worse choice all the time (as I seem to do) and make it interesting in my humble opinion. Bukowski is a modern genius 😊

[@aldousbrawndo996]

Second time listening to this through its way more entertaining than anything else I can find

[@markburkeyjr9806]

I am a drunk. I feel every job and every woman. I've been there

[@Dino_Medici]

Work a smoothie in fam lol

[@kennethnick3213]

You should go to A.A or rehab

[@jnyc8457]

He sounds so much like Bukowski!

[@matureyoungman]

norm macdoanld?

[@hellbooks3024]

I love the way Bukowski read his poetry, I had him on vinyl about 40 years ago or so. He sounded like a somnolent, smug W.C. Fields with a lisp. The record, made in front of a bunch of college students, started: “Let me just sit here and drink this beer.” Most poets don’t read their stuff so well, but I can still hear him in my head.

[@thegreatsiberianitch]

It's great. No one else could do it. Probly better than Bukowski himself cause I don't think he would have the patience, lol...

[@cornsyruptrucker]

I'd reckon he sounds even better than bukowski himself!

[@CatEnthusiast-gr3cv]

This is great because I don't know how to read and never intend to learn.

[@regionalmoderator812]

Bet

[@VidaBlue317]

Well you can write. That's the first step... or is it the last step 🤔 At any rate, it's a step

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

How old are you ?

[@ratusbagus]

@@VidaBlue317 why do you think he can write?

[@VidaBlue317]

@@ratusbagus Well he can push buttons that make coherent sentences. Just look at that post - it's beautiful...

[@betheneytroyer1156]

Excellent

[@jaspernewcombe7502]

So far this has just been a 2 hour compilation of bukowski shooting ropes ,getting drunk and quitting his job

[@brendanjoyce645]

HELL YEAH!!!

[@davidlinehat4657]

and it's great! I must've read this book three or four times when I was younger. Buk's really got a way of showing his reader what's important in life: shooting ropes, getting drunk and dominating your environment by quitting pointless jobs.

[@brokenquillYT]

You must be new here hehe

[@gingerninja_super7785]

Art

[@ShakespeareCafe]

listen at 2.0x speed...Bukowski at the speed of light

[@cornsyruptrucker]

Too hyperactive. 1.75x works nicely for me

[@waynemichaellindeman667]

She always thought of aging and never death. I listen to this when I need a fuck or a job.

[@andrewmaccallum2367]

Brilliant

[@squintygreeneyes]

can anyone recommend more books like this?

[@StephenSinclair-d6n]

"Women" charles bukowski 😊.

[@djtall3090]

Ham on Rye, Post Office and like the other guy said Women. They are all great. No other writer like him. His poetry is amazing too, like his novels condensed into a few lines. Enjoy.

[@squintygreeneyes]

@@StephenSinclair-d6n thanks!

[@squintygreeneyes]

@@djtall3090 thanks!

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

Bukowski has written several books. I have most of them. Factotum was given to me by my English teacher in 1978, because he knew I was bored by the books he was teaching. I ended up majoring in English in college and have over 2000 books now, just because he gave me a Bukowski book over 45 years ago.

[@greenvelvet]

Does anybody know why this audiobook version is 2 hours longer than the other ones??

[@paulvaleri373]

great reader

[@rickybolio]

Haha great upload !!

[@SuperOlds88]

Christian Baskous makes this book come alive.

[@christopherarmbruster6241]

Bar fly. Is what I been trying to get this phone to say

[@cornsyruptrucker]

Underrated comment

[@Tinyflypie]

Is this book so bad no one has commented in 5 years? I'll be back after I listen to some.

[@vano758]

people simply lack words -- to express their delight and pleasure listening to it 🙂i am a learner of English and i first listened to it in my native language first -- now i am re-listening to the novel in English. beyond Excellent. I'm truly flabbergasted at how cool a cool writer (and a dude) Bukowski really was🙂

[@Tinyflypie]

@@vano758 that's interesting, is the book different in tone or other subtle ways in your mother tongue? I did enjoy it.

[@vano758]

An excellent question!! The Russian language is famous for tons of dreadful obscenities it has in its vocabulary. Oaths and swear words Russian-speakers willingly use every now and then are numerous, rough, imaginative and sometimes nearly make one's ears bleed. Words of an American "hoochie coochie dude",translated into Russian + perfect narrator's intonations and reading create an astounding effect. Makes you giggle or burst out laughing.... After watching a movie "Post Office" I decided I should find an audiobook (in Russian, of course) and listen to the novel itself. I enjoyed it to such an extent that I went and looked up "Post Office" performed in English. Now i have been doing the same with "Factotum". I watched the movie first, then the audiobook in Russian and for a third time i have been coming here to listen to it being read in English. I feel I better share my impessions on the two versions of "Post Office": I already can remember whole passages of text.... nah, not even TEXT.... Like, I can watch a movie in Ukrainian, Russian, Polish or English -- i'll be able to understand either version almost equally well. After some time if you ask me which language it was in I might find it difficult to answer for sure... In Russian, certain passages do sound funnier and somewhat juicier to me... Perhaps because pejorative phrases and constructions of English appear to me a bit too flat and rather samely (I might be subjective on this point but this is how i feel). The three Russian-language audibooks of Bukowski's novels uploaded here on youtube are nicely read + the translations themselves are awesome. I am into translations myself ,so I suppose my qualification is good enough for me to feel I've got the right to be making my judgements on the translation's quality.... By the way, are you in the States or Canada, buddy? 🙂 Hello from the Ukraine ;)

[@Tinyflypie]

@Johnny LuckyLad I am Australian, our slang is rather juicy and full of excellent insults. Standard BBC English seems to rely on sarcasm to be effective for insults. How lucky you are to be multilingual, I wish I could speak Russian. I love the sound of it. Also, I used to read Dostoevsky and other classic Russian literature and often wondered how much I was missing in those treasures. Thank you for explaining the linguistic impact of this book in translation. It sounds even better in Russian. Do you work as a translator?

[@DSPHistoricalSociety]

​@@vano758Bukowski is an angelic scumbag😊

[@vesculjak7715]

does anyone know the song at the start?

[@mkUltra273]

I appreciate the reader's attempt to imitate Chinaski's voice. A little too enthusiastic at times, but it's nice

[@claudepalmer2290]

"If anybody has lost out on this deal...!

[@ashleysaunders9947]

Edward bunker is worth a look. Similar vain as Buk , mostly criminals, down on the luck types, hookers. It tells the tale of how life forces you down a desperate road.

[@jiggersotoole7823]

Acceptance slip. Around 1:20:28 Drunking is zen 1:25:00 ish

[@peachbottomblues9944]

Once you’ve heard Bukowski’s real voice you know what a pity it is that he didn’t do the narration.

[@grangey4908]

Yeah but this is still great narration

[@oneill765]

Ah well, what can ya do?

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

This narrators voice and expressions are brilliant, I love this audiobook, the honesty is palpable and tangible.

[@maxgruszkowski6987]

​@@oneill765...these days AI are doing miracles.You can even easly to have entire video of Bukowski reading itself...or anyone else.

[@peachbottomblues9944]

@@maxgruszkowski6987I’d rather hear this guy (who’s rather good) than an AI Bukowski…no thanx

[@IAMthatIAM992]

If anyone here likes this, I highly recommend Jude Angelini's Hummingbird

[@milton.vasquez]

I need subtitles

[@cornsyruptrucker]

Seconded

[@ericdoe2318]

Anybody ever read norm Macdonald’s book? I see the possibility he was influenced by this

[@nashwilliams5852]

I can see it.

[@badeugenecops4741]

Doesn't it kinda sound like Norm?

[@PopeMisanthrope]

Ridiculous. Every word of Norm's book actually happened

[@surelygettingthere]

​@@badeugenecops4741this is exactly what I thought - the narrator has the norm's accent or cadence, or whateveyacallit

[@cornsyruptrucker]

What's it called?

[@paulbucklebuckle4921]

Welcome to your modern life.

[@Henry_Swanson]

Finale 5:05:10

[@isjones2112]

I wonder how much of this is actually true?

[@quinnl8350]

1:33:14

[@christopherarmbruster6241]

Barely I ment to say. Ironwood is another good one sort-of like. The book Joe by Larry brown. Is one folks like us dig father and son by Larry brown also kicks ass

[@markseeley8476]

You keep repeating barely... you mean barfly I take it

[@markseeley8476]

Check out Bukowski's hero. John Fante

[@irishgamedog1511]

2:47:41/bookmark

[@jeremynathan8879]

Read post office too lol

[@e-cuauhtemoc]

Or listen to it here.

[@noradean8686]

❤❤❤

[@Gonzokeywest45]

Where do they find these Norm MacDonald sound a likes to narrate. This is the 3rd audio book with same voice. Please will some actor with appropriate voice narrate this book before it causes more damage 😱🤯

[@Will-hr7si]

2:00:00

[@JamesMacintosh]

What the fuck

[@volcanicenemyberd9315]

49:24

[@Charmagh110]

59:00

[@MyEnemy]

35:11 - 35:46 🤣

[@mossy723]

Any one else a fan of Bill Cosby-Bukowski?

[@adamgardener8624]

What is that supposed to mean?

[@EricVornoff]

12:33

[@Charmagh110]

5:09:13 is that the end

[@juanpisukan]

seemed to be

[@Newyorkbronco]

Chapter 14 😂😂😂

[@LuciFeric137]

Fuckin hilarious

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

51:08

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

1:04:10

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

1:15:46

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

1:41:17

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

1:48:26

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

1:55:22

[@caleboliver275]

Factoter

[@bobharley2814]

8:26

[@bobharley2814]

2:35:03

[@bobharley2814]

3:22:19

[@bobharley2814]

4:16:10

[@bobharley2814]

4:53:00

[@landofthelivingskies3318]

31::00

[@Newyorkbronco]

😂😂😂😂

[@АлександрРусаков-в4с]

Wilson John Lewis Richard Martinez Ruth

[@ИринаКим-ъ5ч]

Thomas Laura Taylor Jeffrey Young Charles

[@christopherarmbruster6241]

This is good shit. Like the movie barely.

[@HelenBrown-s1j]

Brown Brian Allen Susan Jackson Larry

[@Will-hr7si]

4002

[@PedroGarcia-yb8kx]

I tapped out at about two hours. Just disgusting.

[@marianmichalski]

awful

[@ratusbagus]

It's beautiful.

[@OrthodoxConvert-pd8pl]

no

[@JohnnyAce415]

This narrator sucks at doing the characters.

[@NoName-eh1tc]

I quit my job, im drunk, uuuuuggh i came.... Peak jew writing

[@Charmagh110]

3:09:38

[@kiran387]

2:36:34

[@posljednjilist4400]

14:00

[@da1215]

36:56

[@obscuritymaster1880]

3:04:09

[@luiso.9103]

03:30:00

[@Will-hr7si]

2:40:00

[@eliasmontanez]

5:07:06

[@Will-hr7si]

3:09:00

[@drazenamadeus]

4:59:32

[@Will-hr7si]

4: 29:00

[@Will-hr7si]

3:35:00

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

3:20:13

[@cornergarageproductions9182]

4:59:34

[@Will-hr7si]

3:56:00

[@Will-hr7si]

4:02:00

[@zza9215]

7:14:00

[@Will-hr7si]

4:19:00

[@darthclone7]

2:08:08