Sign in with Facebook
Stela's Reviews > Henderson the Rain King
Henderson the Rain King
by
by
I am a steady admirer of Saul Bellow and this since I read, some thirty years ago, “Humboldt’s Gift�. And I was thinking, while reading “Henderson, the Rain King� how important (although irrelevant) is the first reading of an author. For if I had read this book first, I doubt I have ever tried another. Not because it is bad, but because it didn’t say much to me. As a complex parody it was sometimes boring instead of funny, even though I quite liked the idea of an anti superhero (I don’t know if Bellow is the first to introduce him in literature, but it sure was the first I came across). On the other hand, the African tribal experience felt somehow deprecatory, its dark and black magic childish enough to border ridicule.
All along I felt the author tried his hand a little half-hearted, and I struggled to finish it out of respect for him.
All along I felt the author tried his hand a little half-hearted, and I struggled to finish it out of respect for him.
Sign into ŷ to see if any of your friends have read
Henderson the Rain King.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
December 19, 2016
–
Started Reading
December 19, 2016
– Shelved
January 16, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-5 of 5 (5 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Vessey
(new)
Jan 17, 2017 04:20AM
It’a a pity you didn’t like it, Stela. You have to read Mr. Sammler’s Planet. I had a luck for it to be my first (and so far only) Saul Bellow, because, as you say, it’s important what you begin with. I think you would like it. :)
reply
|
flag
Vessey wrote: "It’a a pity you didn’t like it, Stela. You have to read Mr. Sammler’s Planet. I had a luck for it to be my first (and so far only) Saul Bellow, because, as you say, it’s important what you begin wi..."Thank you, I'll put it on my to read list presently!
I feel similarly about this book, and all Saul Bellow. Why have I never been able to finish a single one of his books? Drat it!
Tiffany wrote: "I feel similarly about this book, and all Saul Bellow. Why have I never been able to finish a single one of his books? Drat it!"Have you ever tried Herzog? I strongly recommend it!
Stela, I was a bit disappointed with "Humboldt's Gift". Sieze the Day fine, then I read Herzog. I should have read Rain King before Herzog, as they make up a continued story. YES! You are right, the first reading of an author is important. If I'd read anything by Umberto Eco, other than "Name of the Rose", I don't think I would have read "Rose" at all. Eco is good, but Rose is his masterpiece.
