Beginning in 1967, Bukowski wrote the column "Notes of A Dirty Old Man" for the
underground newspaper "Open City". Perennially drunk, broke and in search of a w
oman, Bukowski takes on the guise of a wise fool as he ventures through America'
s seedy lowlife. Peopled by Kerouac, Burroughs and other much less salubrious ch
aracters, his exploits provoke humour and despair, whilst highlighting the inher
ent beauty and futility of life.