Ham On Rye

      Author Charles Bukowski is one who does not censor himself whatsoever in his writings, which is most likely the reason I enjoy reading his material. I recently finished his novel "Ham On Rye", which is about a boy growing up during the late 1920s and all throughout the 1930s. The boy, Henry Chinaski, has traits one would relate to those of a loner. His family life is not good at all, and at times the book can be a bit depressing. However, you actually tend to forget the time period of the story at certain points, and that highlights Bukowski's creative strengths as an author. Although the novel does not have much of a plot (it follows a guy from his early childhood to his early adulthood), it is easy to read and every chapter keeps you wanting more. Henry Chinaski is the protagonist in numerous Bukowski works, so this story serves as a prequel to other works that take place later in Chinaski's life. If you do not enjoy or cannot handle extremely vulgar and inappropriate topics, then do not read this book. It deals with the many odd thoughts and ideas that come with growing up, and at times it can be quite intense. Regardless, I think it is great. Many have claimed that the book is Bukowski's autobiography of his life growing up, and that he just used different names for all of the characters. I do not doubt one bit that this is true, as Bukowski grew up in the same setting (Los Angeles) during the same time period as Henry does. Film icon James Franco and his younger brother Dave recently began work on a film based off of the book, and it is rumored to be titled "Bukowski". If James Franco is making a movie out of it, that should be enough assurance that this is a great book that is definitely worth the read if you can handle some of its content.

-N.G.