Take a photo of a barcode or cover
numetalrevival 's review for:
Ham on Rye
by Charles Bukowski
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ham on Rye kicks off the life of eternally snake-bitten Henry Chinaski. As a vague representation of Bukowski himself, Chinaski is entirely believable and complex.
It feels odd to refer to the character as “complex” when he spends the novel drinking, complaining, and drinking some more. Readers, however, get the full scope of where this downward spiral lifestyle emerges from as they read through his abusive childhood. The novel is a coming of age story where Chinaski had to come of his age entirely too soon.
Despite all the doom and gloom, we’re able to witness the beginning of his love for writing. Although this is a bright spot, Chinaski’s writing is coined by a friend as, “too bitter and you hate everything.”Much like our protagonist, Bukowski’s writing is bitter and he hates everything— which makes it all the more enjoyable.
It feels odd to refer to the character as “complex” when he spends the novel drinking, complaining, and drinking some more. Readers, however, get the full scope of where this downward spiral lifestyle emerges from as they read through his abusive childhood. The novel is a coming of age story where Chinaski had to come of his age entirely too soon.
Despite all the doom and gloom, we’re able to witness the beginning of his love for writing. Although this is a bright spot, Chinaski’s writing is coined by a friend as, “too bitter and you hate everything.”Much like our protagonist, Bukowski’s writing is bitter and he hates everything— which makes it all the more enjoyable.