Reticulating Splines

It’s a quintessential 20th century American novel. You don’t have to like the narrator - in fact, you likely won’t - but that’s not the point. Henry Chinaski is one of the most finely rendered literary characters I’ve ever read, and his struggle with the conflicts in his personality and frustration with his surroundings is illustrated to great result. Ham On Rye is filled with concise observations and engaging circumstances that not only explore who the narrator is, but the period of history and socioeconomic conditions he grew up in. Bukowski blurs the lines between life and art through his deceptively simple, conversational language with an ease that makes me wonder how many drafts it took him to make this sound like a perfect first draft. This book is the best starting point for Bukowski and a must if you’re interested in reading a great coming-of-age voice during Great Depression-era America.