Mazzeo's review
Ham on Rye: A Novel
by Charles Bukowski
Mazzeo's review
Ham on Rye: A Novel by Charles Bukowski
Mazzeo's review
rating:
recommended for: Anyone Who Feels Disaffect
For anyone who feels disconnected or disaffected “Ham on Rye” is a great first person coming of age story. The book revolves around Henry Chinaski, Charles Bukowski’s alterego, as he goes through childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, in LA through the Great Depression and World War II. The book ends around 19-20, after Henry graduates High School works a dead-end job and dropping out of community college.
The book is autobiographical material funneled through a fictional character, and it’s not hard to see why. Henry is unlikable. Ugly inside and how. But, Bukowski does a fantastic job making the reader sympathize and at times almost pity the “protagonist.” I can’t say I empathized with the character because he never tried to do anything, and never claimed to have a goal. He was going through his life because he is alive, what he does is a result of options, not ambition. And it ends like it began, with no stars on the horizon.
The book is autobiographical material funneled through a fictional character, and it’s not hard to see why. Henry is unlikable. Ugly inside and how. But, Bukowski does a fantastic job making the reader sympathize and at times almost pity the “protagonist.” I can’t say I empathized with the character because he never tried to do anything, and never claimed to have a goal. He was going through his life because he is alive, what he does is a result of options, not ambition. And it ends like it began, with no stars on the horizon.
