[photochemsyn]

Bukoski goes well with Philip K Dick. The portrait they paint of 1950s and 1960s America (even if accidentally) is truly dystopian, a world of wild-eyed amphetamine addicts and self-destructive alcoholics wrapped up in the social norms of their day. It's really some of the most depressing literature out there, and almost none of the characters in their works are even vaguely likable or admirable. It's probably 'good writing' in the sense of being an honest appraisal, but yikes, I wouldn't want to live in their worlds.

[wiz21c]

I like Bukowski a lot because under what you describe, I feel an immense sense of humanity. Without that sub-level, it'd be indeed gross and depressing...

[Balgair]

Seasons in Hell by Mike Shopshire paints a similar picture of early 70's middle America. Looking back, I get a sense of how depression era people felt about the 20's. Pages of complaints about constant hangovers gets really childish really fast, especially for middle aged men.

[jobs_throwaway]

I dunno, I've found plenty of likable characters in the PKD I've read. Bob Arctor in a Scanner Darkly, Barney Mayerson in the Three Stigmata, Joe Chip in Ubik. The list could go on.