This collection of essays forms a critical analysis of the work of Charles Bukowski. Russell Harrison puts the writing of legendary barfly Bukowski under the microscope to help readers gain a better understanding of his work. Divided into two sections - essays on his poetry and then his fiction - the book digs deep beneath the surface of Bukowski's writing, citing his key influences, and paying particular heed to Bukowski's complex relationship with labour, class and women. The essays seek to understand the enigma that was Charles Bukowski and examine why, so far, a writer like Bukowski has not been accepted by the traditional literary establishment.