While in Davis Kidd a few days ago, I stopped by the employees’ pick shelf and saw Charles Bukowski’s Ham on Rye. Not only did the employee recommend this book, he wrote “This book will change your life” on an index card and placed it in front of the book. I’m sorry I waited so long to read this novel.
Set during the Depression, Ham on Rye chronicles the life of Henry Chinaski (said to be the alter ego of author Bukowski). The book begins when Henry is a toddler, crawling under a table during Christmas time and ends when Henry is in his mid twenties. The novel vividly describes what America was going through at the time, as well as showing how it affected the children of that generation. Henry grows up in a house with an always angry father and abiding mother. Thus, Henry becomes an angry teenager and then adult, always feeling the need to stand up for himself by starting fights and acting like a “tough guy.” Henry doesn’t seem to mind his hostility, because he considers himself a loner.
Bukowski’s writing style consists of short simple sentences compatible with his characters. It’s an easy read with profound meaning.
