Henderson the Rain King
Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow is a
strange book. It’s bizarre plot entices the reader and there are some
hilarious, side-splitting scenes. Unfortunately, long periods of
tedious introspection by the main character, Henderson, undermine the
positive attributes.
Henderson is a rich American who inherited his fortune. He’s a
strong man and a Second World War veteran with an eccentric outlook on
life.
At the age of 56, Henderson tags along with a honeymoon couple to
Africa, but splits from the pair after falling out with the woman.
He decides to venture into the interior and sets off with a guide to
visit the Arnewi people. These are a peaceful cow-loving tribe and
Henderson, a pig breeder, feels at home among them.
They’re suffering a drought and their water supply is contaminated
by frogs. Their superstition forbids them killing the frogs, but
Henderson is under no such restrictions and gained tacit approval to
act.
He devised a scheme to dynamite the frogs and this was successful,
however he also blasted the retaining wall and the tribe’s water supply
washed away.
Henderson left the Arnewi in shame and disgrace to visit the
neighboring Wariri people, hoping news of his frog debacle didn’t
precede him.
He attended a local festival and was the only man present able to
lift a stone statue of the Wariri rain goddess, Mummah, causing him to
be proclaimed Sungo, the rain king.
Unknown to Henderson, he also became next in line to the throne.
He enjoyed a close relationship with the king, Dahfu, and that’s
where the story stalled as they engaged in philosophical discussions
while trying to tame a lion under the king’s palace.
It’s evident from this brief summary that the plot is amusing and
captivating, so it seemed a shame to interrupt the thread with deeper
meaning that escaped me.
Dahfu eventually died, mauled by another lion, and Henderson was
held securely pending his coronation. The idea of being king appealed
to him, although he was concerned at being able to serve the 64 royal
wives and so escaped.
This book won’t appeal to everyone, but it has much merit and certainly fits the bill if you’re looking for something different.
These articles might be of interest:
