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This if just off the top of my head from memory. He was a beatnik poet, hard drinker, gambler, drifter, survivor type. Worked on and off at the post office as a carrier (I think in the 60s). As he was getting up in age (I think maybe his 50s?) he supposedly had a friend who offered to pay him some amount per month to quit the post office and spend his time writing a novel full time. He lived in a small dumpy apt in LA (which was recently for sale/sold) when he wrote the novel - called Post Office. While he was an original "Slacker," he was somewhat different than most in that he was obviously naturally very intelligent.
The novel is semi-autobiographical. The tough work at the PO, the various characters he encounters, his girlfriends, drinking, etc.
I can see how a lot don't care much for the novel. Others really like it. I like it a lot, but I don't really recommend it to many. You can try it out, it's a quick read.
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