Henderson the Rain King

Saul Bellow is one of the most notable American authors of the past century, and Henderson the Rain King was the first book of his I have read. Originally published in 1958, the novel is the story of Gene Henderson, a wealthy middle aged American man who is lost in the middle of the American century. An absentee father, twice-divorced, and borderline alcoholic, Henderson is desperately seeking to find out what its all about. To fulfill his dream of finding a new life, he makes an impromptu trip into the African Bush, with only his long-suffering faithful guide Romilayu to help him along the way. His interactions with two tribes in the region are hilarious and profound. His relationship with King Dahfu is the basis for Bellow's thoughts on modern culture, what makes a man a man, and the philosophy of the meaning of strength.

I enjoyed this novel very much and am looking forward to reading more of Bellow's work (although I understand that this novel is not necessarily typical for him). My favorite part of Henderson the Rain King is Henderson himself. He is a comic creation that can be compared favorably to Ignatius Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces. His blustering, yet heartfelt, manner with the citizens of the African tribes he meets up with make him a perfect symbol of all that is regrettable and great about the American abroad. The last third of the book becomes a little ponderous, as Bellow shifts from comic plot to philosophical debate (embodied in the discussions between Henderson and the King) but the ending is satisfying and I laughed out loud a number of times. Guys feeling the mid-life crisis burn should definitely give this one a read.