Henderson the Rain King Summary
Saul Bellow

Henderson the Rain King Summary

Henderson, a troubled middle-aged man, decides to go to Africa to escape the complications and sadness that plague him at home. Henderson is a large man, often bumbling and loud, with a surprising physical appearance and great physical strength. He has a distinguished family, and his father, a famous author, left him three million dollars when he died. He is a World War II veteran and a pig farmer, but has a secret desire in his heart to become a doctor. His first wife, Frances, laughs at this desire.

Henderson is plagued by a voice inside his heart that says, I want, and he seeks salvation from and satisfaction of this longing in a number of ways, through playing the violin, drinking, shouting at his wife, but none make him feel better. He believes his wife Lily fails to live in reality, although Henderson believes he is on good terms... View more of the Henderson the Rain King Summary