Pulp was the posthumous "last" novel by Charles Bukowski, an original American chronicler of the lives of the down-and-out. Bukowski was known for self-deprecation; Pulp was dedicated to "bad writing."

Pulp's plot involves a shadowy figure called Lady Death hiring a detective named Nick Belane to find a guy named Celine. Belane also pursues other cases, which involve whores and other "loose" women, as well as masturbation, bar fights, and lots of booze. Belane's threat to an adulteress named Cindy Bass is typical of Bukowski's dialogue:
"You bitch[.] I'll nail your ass . . . against the wall." (37)

Another conversation, between a man and woman, is:

'Holy Christ,' he said, 'you're stacked like ten brick shithouses!'
'Ah, Billy, you really think so?'
'Just told ya, didn't I?'
'You say the sweetest things, Billy.'
'I mean looka the size of them breasts! You should fall forward flat on your face but I guess it's your big ass holds you back from doing that.'
'Oh, I don't have big behind, Billy.'
'Baby, that's no behind! That there thing is a dump truck full of jelly, jam and dumplings!' (136)

Other examples of 'obscene' or 'profane' language include:

• Son-of-a-bitch! (29)
• Motherfucker! (90)
• Screw you! Screw your mother! (100)
• You've got chicken shit for brains? (101)
• Don't fuck with me! (105)
• Why you fat fuck! (122)
• Why you cocksucker (128)
• Mister, you got a bug up your ass or what? (128)