Susanne's Reviews > Ham on Rye
Ham on Rye
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Review to be posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Dysfunction that Breaks the Heart Ten Times Over. Knowing, however, that You Can Break Free from the Chains.
Ham on Rye: My first read by Charles Bukowski, came highly recommended.
A semi-autobiographical coming of age story about a young man named Henry Chinaski.
There is angst, desperation, dysfunction, heartache, and pain and then there is hysterical laughter.
Growing up during the Great Depression, this is the story of a young man who learned to question his existence, during a time when such a thing was not acceptable.
A father who is an abusive, alcoholic and is also mentally unstable, from whom Henry learned the finer points of alcohol. A mother who is unable to stand up for herself or her son.
Bullied, covered in acne, and terrible with girls, Henry sort of becomes a bully himself. Can’t say I blamed him, all things considered.
Then there is Henry’s personality. His cynicism. His sexual frustration. His adoration of Panties (yes, I said panties) and finally, Miss Gredis’ classroom - thump, thump, thump. That, my friends, is where the hysterical laughter comes in.
What makes this novel so wholly realistic is the writing, which is inflected with honesty and sincerity and clearly comes from a place of both pain and salvation. From knowing that there is more to life than the hand that Henry Chinaski was dealt.
What is astounding is that at such a tender young age, Charles Bukowski as Henry Chinaski, was wise beyond his years, asking pertinent questions, including what he wanted out of life. Pushing boundaries, and rejecting social conventions, making others do the same. Though somewhat crude, rude, and brash, “Henry Chinaski” was also brave, going where others had not gone before.
While I didn’t quite love this book, due to the way it was told, it resonated with me for a variety of reasons. At first, I found the writing to be a bit choppy though, thankfully it evened out as the story got going. Bold, and daring, Henry Chinaski is a “character” I won’t soon forget as he is one I identified with in many respects. Sadly, his parents, unfortunately, were quite like my own in many ways. The fact that this novel is semi-autobiographical broke my heart.
I have heard that Mr. Bukowski has written several other books that are a bit more profane, shocking, and vile. That remains to be seen.
3.85 Stars
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
Dysfunction that Breaks the Heart Ten Times Over. Knowing, however, that You Can Break Free from the Chains.
Ham on Rye: My first read by Charles Bukowski, came highly recommended.
A semi-autobiographical coming of age story about a young man named Henry Chinaski.
There is angst, desperation, dysfunction, heartache, and pain and then there is hysterical laughter.
Growing up during the Great Depression, this is the story of a young man who learned to question his existence, during a time when such a thing was not acceptable.
A father who is an abusive, alcoholic and is also mentally unstable, from whom Henry learned the finer points of alcohol. A mother who is unable to stand up for herself or her son.
Bullied, covered in acne, and terrible with girls, Henry sort of becomes a bully himself. Can’t say I blamed him, all things considered.
Then there is Henry’s personality. His cynicism. His sexual frustration. His adoration of Panties (yes, I said panties) and finally, Miss Gredis’ classroom - thump, thump, thump. That, my friends, is where the hysterical laughter comes in.
What makes this novel so wholly realistic is the writing, which is inflected with honesty and sincerity and clearly comes from a place of both pain and salvation. From knowing that there is more to life than the hand that Henry Chinaski was dealt.
What is astounding is that at such a tender young age, Charles Bukowski as Henry Chinaski, was wise beyond his years, asking pertinent questions, including what he wanted out of life. Pushing boundaries, and rejecting social conventions, making others do the same. Though somewhat crude, rude, and brash, “Henry Chinaski” was also brave, going where others had not gone before.
While I didn’t quite love this book, due to the way it was told, it resonated with me for a variety of reasons. At first, I found the writing to be a bit choppy though, thankfully it evened out as the story got going. Bold, and daring, Henry Chinaski is a “character” I won’t soon forget as he is one I identified with in many respects. Sadly, his parents, unfortunately, were quite like my own in many ways. The fact that this novel is semi-autobiographical broke my heart.
I have heard that Mr. Bukowski has written several other books that are a bit more profane, shocking, and vile. That remains to be seen.
3.85 Stars
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Reading Progress
June 29, 2021
–
Started Reading
June 29, 2021
– Shelved
June 30, 2021
–
14.0%
July 1, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
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Kaceey
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Jul 09, 2021 07:49AM
Excellent review Susanne! Sounds very different! Henry sounds like quite the “character”💜
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Kaceey wrote: "Excellent review Susanne! Sounds very different! Henry sounds like quite the “character”💜"
Thanks Kaceey! It was very different.
Thanks Kaceey! It was very different.
It's interesting timing for me, to read your first reaction to your first Bukowski read, as I am getting ready to read my first one as well. He has his fans on here, and he has plenty of haters as well, so he's an interesting author to take on, isn't he??
Julie wrote: "It's interesting timing for me, to read your first reaction to your first Bukowski read, as I am getting ready to read my first one as well. He has his fans on here, and he has plenty of haters as ..."
Oh my gosh! Awesome! Which one are you going to read Julie? I'm thinking of reading Post Office next.
As for fans and haters.. you're not joking...
Oh my gosh! Awesome! Which one are you going to read Julie? I'm thinking of reading Post Office next.
As for fans and haters.. you're not joking...
Tina wrote: "A great review Susanne! You can't pass up a good old honest and sincere book!!!"
Thanks Tina!
Ceecee wrote: "Fantastic review Susanne 💖"
Thanks Ceecee!
Jayme wrote: "Great review!"
Thanks so much Jayme.
Holly wrote: "Happy to hear it resonated Susanne!"
Thanks Holly!
Thanks Tina!
Ceecee wrote: "Fantastic review Susanne 💖"
Thanks Ceecee!
Jayme wrote: "Great review!"
Thanks so much Jayme.
Holly wrote: "Happy to hear it resonated Susanne!"
Thanks Holly!
Great Review!! And your right more anything Bukowski is HONEST. Next I would check out HOLLYWOOD. That’s probably my personal favorite. It Contains, most likely, the single funniest sentence I’ve ever read.
He has a lot of books about this Henry Chinaski, like Postoffice, Women. I agree with you about his honesty and cynicism.
Susanne,
I'm actually starting a book of his poetry, Love Is a Dog from Hell. It coincides with my 70s reading project. We'll see how it goes!
I'm actually starting a book of his poetry, Love Is a Dog from Hell. It coincides with my 70s reading project. We'll see how it goes!