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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I've read this twice and don't know exactly why I love it so much.
Sometimes, I read a book and marvel that an author could take such an unlikable character and make him so human, so universal, that the reader is carried along by his tide of thoughts.
This book is full of revelations. The yearning to be better is palpable. The acknowledgment that the main character BY the main character that he is a drunk, a womanizer, and a bum helps, as does his goal of fixing it.
My favorite part of the book was when he admits that the reason the bride hates him has little to do with his original assertion that he "didn't kiss her", and then he goes on to list the absolutely disgusting things he did at the reception, and you realize that most of what he has been saying has been held back and cleaned up. The fiction IS a fiction. We all live reality a little differently. Beautiful.
This book feels raw and scratchy. It has a texture and weight, and deserves a slow, uncomfortable read.
This book is full of revelations. The yearning to be better is palpable. The acknowledgment that the main character BY the main character that he is a drunk, a womanizer, and a bum helps, as does his goal of fixing it.
My favorite part of the book was when he admits that the reason the bride hates him has little to do with his original assertion that he "didn't kiss her", and then he goes on to list the absolutely disgusting things he did at the reception, and you realize that most of what he has been saying has been held back and cleaned up. The fiction IS a fiction. We all live reality a little differently. Beautiful.
This book feels raw and scratchy. It has a texture and weight, and deserves a slow, uncomfortable read.
Originally published on my blog here in February 1999.
Saul Bellow' famous novel is about a man who is a misfit. Henderson is a rich American, yet his behaviour still makes him unacceptable to society. He is a very large man physically, prone to rages and enthusiasms, who finds it difficult to know what constitutes an acceptable way to react to a stimulus. (His attempts to kill a cat accidentally left behind by some ex-tenants from a property he owns are an example of this.)
In what is basically an attempt to find himself, he travels to Africa, asking his guide to show him unusual, remote places and peoples. He meets two tribes, one of which he virtually destroys in an attempt to purify their main water supply of a plague of frogs which goes disastrously wrong. The major part of the book, though, is about the second tribe, where he befriends the king, Dahfu, and unknowingly becomes involved in a religious ritual to bring rain, the success of which leads to his acclamation as a Sungo, or Rain King. Dahfu enlists Henderson's help in his attempts to capture a particular lion alive - this lion is believed to contain the reincarnate spirit of the previous king, and Dahfu needs to capture it to make his hold on the throne secure. During the preparations for the lion hunt, Dahfu engages Henderson in philosophical conversation. This is what Bellow uses to work out and resolve Henderson's alienation, so these conversations are structurally the most important parts of the book.
Henderson the Rain King is a book which grows on the reader slowly. At the beginning, I found Henderson so much of a misfit that I couldn't really understand him; after he arrived in Africa, I began to realise what it was that drove him to act in such anti-social ways. As I did so, I found him less dislikeable; to understand all is to forgive all. The characterisation of Henderson and his development is what has made this book a classic of twentieth century literature.
Saul Bellow' famous novel is about a man who is a misfit. Henderson is a rich American, yet his behaviour still makes him unacceptable to society. He is a very large man physically, prone to rages and enthusiasms, who finds it difficult to know what constitutes an acceptable way to react to a stimulus. (His attempts to kill a cat accidentally left behind by some ex-tenants from a property he owns are an example of this.)
In what is basically an attempt to find himself, he travels to Africa, asking his guide to show him unusual, remote places and peoples. He meets two tribes, one of which he virtually destroys in an attempt to purify their main water supply of a plague of frogs which goes disastrously wrong. The major part of the book, though, is about the second tribe, where he befriends the king, Dahfu, and unknowingly becomes involved in a religious ritual to bring rain, the success of which leads to his acclamation as a Sungo, or Rain King. Dahfu enlists Henderson's help in his attempts to capture a particular lion alive - this lion is believed to contain the reincarnate spirit of the previous king, and Dahfu needs to capture it to make his hold on the throne secure. During the preparations for the lion hunt, Dahfu engages Henderson in philosophical conversation. This is what Bellow uses to work out and resolve Henderson's alienation, so these conversations are structurally the most important parts of the book.
Henderson the Rain King is a book which grows on the reader slowly. At the beginning, I found Henderson so much of a misfit that I couldn't really understand him; after he arrived in Africa, I began to realise what it was that drove him to act in such anti-social ways. As I did so, I found him less dislikeable; to understand all is to forgive all. The characterisation of Henderson and his development is what has made this book a classic of twentieth century literature.
Oh my. I was worried from the first few pages that this would be another story of a rich white guy with emotional problems, but this book was awesome. I don't know what takes a character from "annoying" to "endearing" but Henderson, with all his problems, falls smack in the heart of "endearing" territory.
This was such a good read. One of those books that is both deeply satisfying and irritatingly unsatisfying. I think good literature leaves you a little bit uncomfortable, while also providing a wide array of emotional and intellectual nuggets to chew on. I'll probably be thinking about this for a while.
This was such a good read. One of those books that is both deeply satisfying and irritatingly unsatisfying. I think good literature leaves you a little bit uncomfortable, while also providing a wide array of emotional and intellectual nuggets to chew on. I'll probably be thinking about this for a while.
I'm not sure what to think, actually. The writing is sort of hypnotic and beautiful in places. A bit Hemingway-esque at times too.
A quite unusual book, very typical from a writer such as Saul Bellow.
4* Herzog
3.5* Henderson the Rain King
TR The Adventures of Augie March
TR Humboldt's Gift
TR Seize the Day
4* Herzog
3.5* Henderson the Rain King
TR The Adventures of Augie March
TR Humboldt's Gift
TR Seize the Day
It was slow at points but towards the end it really sped up. There were some beautiful passages and some beautiful thoughts in this book. It was an enjoyable read - though no one else in my english lit seemed to agree with me.
One of my many personal resolutions (that are often left incomplete) is to re-read Modern Classics to see whether I have an increased appreciation after all these years.
When it comes to Henderson, the answer is unfortunately "No." The only thing that I appreciate more is that I not only didn't turn out like Henderson, but I have successfully avoided "Hendersons" along the way.
When it comes to Henderson, the answer is unfortunately "No." The only thing that I appreciate more is that I not only didn't turn out like Henderson, but I have successfully avoided "Hendersons" along the way.