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.
