Full Answer
What is the genre of Ham on rye?
Ham on Rye is a 1982 semi-autobiographical novel by American author and poet Charles Bukowski. Written in the first person, the novel follows Henry Chinaski, Bukowski’s thinly veiled alter ego, during his early years.
What does the idiom'Ham on rye'mean?
He says "ham on rye" is an English idiom meaning something of a botched job, bad deal or something. I have never encountered this idiom before. Is he right?
What is the theme of Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski?
As a prequel to Bukowski's previous novels, Ham on Rye depicts the origin and development of many of the reoccurring themes of his work as well as the persona of Henry Chinaski. Relationships between parents, children, and economic circumstances.
What is the protagonist of Ham on rye?
Protagonist. Like his previous autobiographical novels, Ham on Rye centers on the life of Henry Chinaski, this time during his childhood and teenage years. Throughout the course of the novel, Bukowski develops his misanthropic anti-hero character that is seen in his other works like Post Office and Hollywood.
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What is the meaning of Ham on Rye?
"Ham" is the neon (the pretense). The "ham" is a metaphor for pretense, and the "Rye" is simply bread, thus "Ham on Rye".
Why is Ham on Rye called Ham on Rye?
Bruno Dante Alludes to 'The Catcher in the Rye' I believe as it's sort of Bukowski's version of that book. As well as making reference to his German ancestry and the type of stuff he would have eaten whilst growing up.
How long does it take to read Ham on Rye?
4 hours and 48 minutesThe average reader will spend 4 hours and 48 minutes reading this book at 250 WPM (words per minute).
When was ham rye written?
1982Ham on Rye, a semi-autobiographical account of Charles Bukowski's coming of age, begins with his earliest memory. Under a table staring at the legs of adults in Germany in 1922. It continues with his migration to Los Angeles.
How many words are in Ham on Rye?
by Charles Bukowski(about 333 pages) 83,222 total words 46th PERCENTILE of all the books in our library52.84% vividness 71st PERCENTILE of all the books in our library2.58% all adverbs 25th PERCENTILE of all the books in our library0.50% ly-adverbs 5th PERCENTILE of all the books in our library
What comes after Ham on Rye?
HollywoodHam on Rye is a 1982 semi-autobiographical novel by American author and poet Charles Bukowski. Written in the first person, the novel follows Henry Chinaski, Bukowski's thinly veiled alter ego, during his early years....Ham on Rye.First edition coverAuthorCharles BukowskiPreceded byWomenFollowed byHollywood10 more rows
Who wrote ham and rye?
Charles BukowskiHam on Rye / AuthorHenry Charles Bukowski was a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer. His writing was influenced by the social, cultural, and economic ambience of his adopted home city of Los Angeles. Wikipedia
Who is Becker in Ham on Rye?
Becker was a guy named Robert Baume. He died in WW II I guess. It's in one of Bukowski's poem called Self-Inflicted wounds.
What is rye used for?
It is high in carbohydrates and dietary fibre and provides small quantities of protein, potassium, and B vitamins. Rye is also used as livestock feed, as a pasture plant, and as a green manure crop that is plowed under to improve the soil. Its tough fibrous straw can be used for thatching, mattresses, hats, and paper.
What font does Bukowski use?
Printed in an edition of 52 copies, it is 364 pages in length. The typeface used for the text is 12pt Goudy Powell.
What is the pretense in Ham on Rye?
In Ham on Rye, Bukowski squeezed all of the pretense out of his life. This pretense is the "ham ". See Chapter 51 where Hank says that Becker claimed Thomas Wolfe as an influence but he didn't wail and ham it up. Referring to Becker's writing, Hank says that the emotion was there but it wasn't spelled out in neon. "Ham" is the neon (the pretense). The "ham" is a metaphor for pretense, and the "Rye" is simply bread, thus "Ham on Rye".
Is rye bread kosher?
I think it may have to do with Rye bread being quite a Jewish staple and Ham being not Kosher. Demonstrating the huge contrasts in his life and his up bringing. But what do I know, maybe it means you are what you eat.
Overview
Ham on Rye is a 1982 semi-autobiographical novel by American author and poet Charles Bukowski. Written in the first person, the novel follows Henry Chinaski, Bukowski's thinly veiled alter ego, during his early years. Written in Bukowski's characteristically straightforward prose, the novel tells of his coming-of-age in Los Angeles during the Great Depression.
Setting
Like his previous works, Ham on Rye is set in Los Angeles where the author grew up. Bukowski keeps his descriptions of his hometown grounded in reality, paying more attention to the people that make up Los Angeles than to the city itself. This type of description does not venerate or idealize the city, a contrast to other so-called "Los Angeles Novels". Scenes outside of Los Angeles show Chinaski as an intruder, as with an early scene where he and his family are chase…
Plot
The novel focuses on the protagonist, Henry Chinaski, between the years of 1920 and 1941. It begins with Chinaski's early memories. As the story progresses the reader follows his life through the school years and into young adulthood. Chinaski relates that he has an abusive father, and his mother does nothing to stop his father's abuse. She is, in fact, a victim of her husband's brutality as well. Henry is not athletic but wants to be and therefore tries hard to improve. Football is diffi…
Protagonist
Like his previous autobiographical novels, Ham on Rye centers on the life of Henry Chinaski, this time during his childhood and teenage years. Throughout the course of the novel, Bukowski develops his misanthropic anti-hero character that is seen in his other works like Post Office and Hollywood. Chinaski, growing up poor in Los Angeles during the Great Depression, is shown developing into a sarcastic loner. This stems in large part from his home life, in which he is beat…
Themes
As a prequel to Bukowski's previous novels, Ham on Rye depicts the origin and development of many of the reoccurring themes of his work as well as the persona of Henry Chinaski.
Some of the major themes:
• Relationships between parents, children, and economic circumstances. Henry’s father becomes increasingly abusive towards his son as the family sinks further into poverty.
The Chinaskis
Like Henry, the rest of the Chinaskis are modeled after Bukowski's own family. For example, Henry's parents, like Bukowski's, had met in Germany after World War I.
• Emily Chinaski: Chinaski's grandmother on his father’s side. The beginning of the novel starts with his earliest memory of his grandmother; she would proclaim “I will bury all of you!” Other than that, his best memory of visiting her home involves him and his parents leaving to go visit his gr…
Other characters
• Various Teachers: Mr. Hall, Mrs. Westphal, Mrs. Fretag, Wagner, Mr. Stanhope, Miss Gredis, etc.
• "Friends": Robert Becker, David (Another loner that attaches to him.), Lila Jane (His first romantic interest), Red, Chuck, Eddie, Gene, Frank, Jimmy, Baldy, etc.
External links
• Ham On Rye Quotes