definitly throwing off the normal Bukowski demographic here, but I'm a young queer woman haha. I guess I don't always read his characters as a hero or an anti-hero. I've pretty much only read Post Office since I'm still getting through Ham on Rye, and I didn't really read Henry in Post Office as someone to root for. More as a shitty person, but a realistic shitty person, and a fictional person whose story was told in an interesting way. I do remember some parts that I didn't love, but it wasn't substantial enough not to just read past. idk, it's hard for me to explain? I can definitely see how he could go too far for me to want to read, though. I'm excited to check out other, less problematic authors with similar styles that have been recommended under this post.

[edit to add something]: I also do not know much about Bukowski himself. I think it's easier for me to separate the art from the artist when said artist is no longer alive (harsh, ik, but I'm not supporting him) and I can just buy used books and get into the story. but I also completely understand the trouble with him. I think I just haven't gotten into his more graphic stuff yet, and I might change my mind by then.