Henderson the Rain King

By: Saul Bellow

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 14 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Saul Bellow evokes all the rich colors and exotic customs of a highly imaginary Africa in this acclaimed 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 win 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.

©1959, 2019 Saul Bellow (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Funny and Powerful

One review called this racist, colonial, and an absurd farce. Another that Henderson was a Baron Munchhausen. I could not disagree more. This is a humorous book about a man facing his own mortality and fretful desires with incredible energy and love. Henderson’s quest is improbable, adventurous, transformational, and funny, but not absurd or farcical. There is nothing here close to Munchhausen riding a cannonball or taking lunar excursions.

I found the writing quite conversational yet subtly superb. The characters are well written and I found Henderson eminently likeable. He was flawed, but not more so than most, and he had an admirable and indomitable love of life. The book at one level is gruff and oozes manliness, yet under this very thin veneer one finds fear, loneliness, and powerlessness. All this, with humor on every page.

The narration is darn near perfect. It is difficult for me to imagine how it could be better. Barrett is clear and bombastic and uses tone to express the emotions just under the surface.

This is a classic and worthy of it praises. Worth listening to again.

Awful

Imagine Holden Caulfield going through his midlife crisis.

There, now you don’t have to read the book.

Nonstop eyeroll

My least favorite book of the year

Unlikeable characters.
Odd choice of phrasing.
Off-putting narration, I listened to the last half of the book at X2.7 speed to help me from getting hung up with weird narrative choices
I had the end of the book figured out around chapter 12, should’ve turned it off there and just made my own ending.

If you didn’t like the main character Henderson in the first chapter, you won’t like him in the final chapters either.
Henderson is a stereotype of an American tourist, with a backstory that would be written by someone who meets only the tourist version. Yes this type of person exists but seldom to writers use a caricature as a stand in for a fully developed lead role.

A story about personal discovery that should’ve seen a major rewrite

modern classic

This is my personal favorite Saul Bellow book. And on audio, it's even better yet. The narrator's gravelly old-style voice matches the story perfectly. I was mesmerized immediately by the narration & so caught up in the storytelling, that I listened for hours before forcing myself to quit to get some sleep. It's that good! Highly recommend this on Audible.

Fascinating and enlightening

I was put off at first by the ugliness of the main character but the originality of the narrative held me. This book is a delight and a bit of a study on human nature and the urge to achieve enlightenment and fulfillment. The descriptions are vivid. I highly recommend.

Wonders

If you have read Bellows you will love Joe Barrett’s reading. It is outstanding. An American classic

probably my favorite work of fiction

Maybe Bellow's best (and his favorite) .. I can't even tell you how great (and funny) a story this is... AND, now.. what a great listening experience. They couldn't have possibly gotten a better narrator.. What an effort this guy put in. He's note-perfect for Eugene Henderson. And also solid accent work to boot. If you've never read/heard this book, do yourself a huge favor....

Bellow's Fictional Africa

I had a copy of this paperback novel since I was a child, and for some reason, I carried it with me from apartment to house to house for nearly six decades. Why? I have no idea, but now in my old age, I decided to tackle it, by listening to the audible and following along in my torn, yellowed paperback version, and it's quite a book. Lots of things wrong with it, of course. Bellow creates his own version of Africa, complete with pigmies and stereotype Africans and ---yes, I read reviews, and I know this 1959 novel is reviled for its portrayals of Tarzan-movie like dark continent 'types.'. But, there's something quite mesmerizing about this tale. Bellow invented nearly everything in it, including a wonderful lion. So a white millionaire goes to Africa and undergoes a change, influenced by an African King who encompasses all these values Henderson doesn't have: A sense of self-worth, a love for nature, and a down-to-earth understanding of humanity. This is a coming of age novel, except Henderson is not 13. He's 56. He grows up and comes back to America, a changed man. I loved the performance and really enjoyed the lessons he learns. This is my first introduction to Bellow and it made me want, want, want more. (That's a word Henderson uses quite often.)

Enjoyed it

Nice to revisit this author—last read Mr. Sammlers planet in college 30 year ago. Comes across a little outdated, but is accessible and thought-provoking. Bellow wears his feelings his sleeve. Sometimes it’s endearing, sometimes it’s really annoying.

never thought of bellow writing a book like this

aside from the expressions used by/ " The voice" of the main character, the book is modern, and this surprised me.