Henderson the Rain King. Saul Bellow (Penguin Modern Classics)
by Saul Bellow
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Book Summary Information
Author: Saul BellowEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-03
ISBN: 0141188804
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Penguin Books
Book Reviews of Henderson the Rain King. Saul Bellow (Penguin Modern Classics)
Book Review: The self exploration of a miserable man
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked this book up from my local library after spotting it on Modern Library's list of the 100 greatest novels, and because of all the critical praise regarding it, I expected a story with obvious weight and drama; something like Huck Finn or Slaughterhouse Five. In my experience the books generally agreed upon as "great American novels" ride on serious moralistic and social themes, wearing a certain message clearly on their respective sleeves. However, when i cracked open Henderson, nothing about it immediately stood out to me. I put it down and in fact neglected long enough that I had to return it without truly getting into the story.
Some five months later I found myself looking for something to read again, with nothing specific in mind. So on a whim I checked Henderson out again, feeling that I hadn't given it a fair shot. This time i read it in its entirety, and was honestly blown away. Unlike other novels with the same level of notoriety, the moral themes are highly ambiguous, mostly centering around the eccentric mind of Eugene Henderson. He is a complicated man with no apparent control over his own desires. You may see elements of yourself in Eugene, and if not, you will certainly recognize the attributes of others in him. I know personally that in certain ways I resonated strongly with his character.
This is what i loved about Henderson the Rain King. Everything about it was real, down to earth, believable... it is not a stream of pointless philosophical babbling, but rather a collection of subtle insights woven into the absolutely hilarious adventures that tie it all together. It is an exploration of real life through the eyes of a very real, very complicated man. One of the most cathartic and pleasing novels I've read in a long time, Henderson the Rain King deserves every ounce of praise it gets.
Summary of Henderson the Rain King. Saul Bellow (Penguin Modern Classics)
Bellow evokes all the rich colour and exotic customs of a highly imaginary Africa in this comic novel about a middle-aged American millionaire who, seeking a new, more rewarding life, descends upon an African tribe. Henderson's awesome feats of strength and his unbridled passion for life earns him the admiration of the tribe - but it is his gift for making rain that turns him from mere hero into messiah. A hilarious, often ribald story, "Henderson the Rain King" is also a profound look at the forces that drive a man through life.Literature & Fiction Books
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