We all have our biases. When it comes to literature, I have a strong preference for transgressive writing. Transgressive writing has little regard for the niceties of polite society, or what’s respectable to the traditional turtlenecked literary man or woman. Transgressive writers are outlaws, and as such present life on the edge. As someone who writes transgressive literature, these ten authors are huge inspirations.
- Charles Bukowski
A red pill writer on the nature of romantic relationships, the horses, and life in general, Bukowski is still the ace of the field.
Representative Work: Women
2. Hunter S. Thompson
He rode with the Hell’s Angels and took more drugs than thought humanly possible.
Representative Work: The Rum Diary
3. Bret Easton Ellis
An LA bad boy, with work filled with the glitz and sleaze that permeate the world of the rich elite.
Representative Work: American Psycho
4. Junot Diaz
Both socially aware and extremely raw, Junot Diaz might be the best writer alive.
Representative Work: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
5. Irvine Welsh
He wrote the book that inspired Trainspotting. Nuff said.
Representative Work: Skagboys
6. William S. Burroughs
He shot his wife, was a heroin addict, and did some of the most interesting experimental prose ever written.
Representative Work: Junky
7. Terry Southern
He co-wrote a borderline pornographic novel based on Voltaire’s Candide.
Representative Work: Candy
8. Tao Lin
The godfather of hipster lit.
Representative Work: Taipei
9. Chuck Palahniuk
The first rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club…
Representative Work: Fight Club
10. Daniel Clowes
He introduced Enid and Rebecca, two of the biggest BAMF’s in comic history.
Representative Work: Ghost World
Honorable Mention: David Foster Wallace
Did I miss anyone? Who is your favorite transgressive or alt-lit writer?
I dismiss Ellis as a catalogue scribe. His books would be about 20k words if not for all the products lists, celebs lists, lists of finery, lists of baubles and drinks and drugs and cars and songs and bands and all that crap.
I can’t agree more. Love this and love your posts. Thanks for the follow and knowledgeable insight u have to offer. I look forward to what else is in the works. 🐱
Awesome to hear, Katya!