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59 pages 1 hour read

Ham on Rye

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1982

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Book Brief

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Charles Bukowski

Ham on Rye

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1982
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Los Angeles, California • 1930s-1940s

Publication Year

1982

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski follows the life of Henry Chinaski, Bukowski's alter-ego, growing up in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. The narrative captures his tumultuous family life, marked by constant fighting and a strained relationship with his father, his struggles with severe acne and social alienation in school, his discovery of writing, and his eventual drift into alcohol and disillusionment. The novel contains depictions of sexual abuse, domestic abuse, misogyny, sexual harassment, mental illness, bestiality, alcohol addiction, animal cruelty, overt and damaging racism, bullying, severe violence, death by suicide, and anti-gay bias.

Gritty

Melancholic

Contemplative

Dark

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.3

115,075 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski is widely praised for its raw and vivid depiction of a tumultuous childhood during the Great Depression. Readers appreciate Bukowski's unflinching honesty and dark humor. However, some criticize the relentless negativity and graphic content. Overall, it's a compelling and gritty exploration of early struggles, resonating deeply with many.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Ham on Rye?

A reader who enjoys Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski is likely drawn to gritty, semi-autobiographical coming-of-age stories that explore themes of alienation and rebellion. Fans of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and Jack Kerouac's On the Road will appreciate Bukowski's raw, unfiltered narrative and distinct voice.

4.3

115,075 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Los Angeles, California • 1930s-1940s

Publication Year

1982

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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