Henderson the Rain King

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Henderson the Rain King

novel by Bellow

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Academia - Postwar Revisions of Cultural Anthropology and Jewish American Identity in Bellow's Henderson the Rain King

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Article History

Henderson the Rain King, seriocomic novel by Saul Bellow, published in 1959. The novel examines the midlife crisis of Eugene Henderson, an unhappy millionaire.

The story concerns Henderson’s search for meaning. A larger-than-life 55-year-old who has accumulated money, position, and a large family, he nonetheless feels unfulfilled. He makes a spiritual journey to Africa, where he draws emotional sustenance from his encounters with a variety of African tribesmen. Deciding that his true destiny is as a healer, Henderson returns home, planning to enter medical school.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.