Summary & Study Guide Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski

by BookRags

Henry says his first memory is of being under something. He thinks it was a table. It was 1922 in Germany, and he was between one and two years old. His memories are spotty and among them is food. He says people were "always eating". Then the entire family is in America. He has limited contact with his grandmother and almost none with his grandfather. Henry's life consists of both a series of beatings at the hands of his father, Big Henry, and the disinterest of a timid mother.This study guide includes the following Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2010

Reviews

[Jill Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this novel is basically autobiographical, the author leaves himself no place to hide. I doubt if it would be published in modern times (first published in 1982). It's not PC, perhaps that's part of its appeal. Whether his thoughts are good/bad, right or wrong, he said them! His writing skills make it empowering. It is brutal, sad, cynical, profound, funny and heartbreaking all at the same time. I couldn't put it down.
I see I've clicked on the study guide instead of the novel. Twas the novel I read. Oops!

[mandy rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all Bukowski work. This was surprisingly tender in places amongst his usual cynical and brutal musings on life. Written as a biography of a young boy growing into manhood lacking self confidence and love and always fighting with feelings of self loathing. He locks himself away inside himself to protect himself from the expected loathing from others never allowing himself hope that someone would love and under him. Sad, gloomy and angry.

[Mary Ann Donaghy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing and dark. This was a book I would rather not have read. The main character was a boy, born in Germany, then moved to the US, where he grew up. His father was a mean-mouthed man who never showed his son any love or compassion. The story showed the evolution of the child into a man. His life never became better. He never experienced love. The few friends he made he drove away with his hatefulness. His only love was drink. He only wanted to be left alone to drink. Sad.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird story about a boy's difficult childhood and rise to maturity in the 1920s. Always an outsider. Interesting view into the life of a boy who just never caught a break. Not sure why, but I really liked this.

[Tage Savage]

Why the fuck isn't "HOR" listed?

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish. First book ever