Saul Bellow
Author of *Henderson the Rain King*, a 1959 novel ranked number 21 on Modern Library's list of the 100 Best Novels in the English language.
Saul Bellow is the author of the 1959 novel *Henderson the Rain King*. The book's blend of philosophical discourse and comic adventure has helped make it one of his more popular works. The novel is said to be Bellow's favorite among his books. It was ranked number 21 on Modern Library's list of the 100 Best Novels in the English language.
- born
- June 10, 1915 (or July 10, 1915, per some records), Lachine, Quebec
- died
- April 5, 2005
- field
- Literature
- nationality
- American (naturalized 1941)
- known_for
- Novels; only writer to win the National Book Award for Fiction three times; 1976 Nobel Prize in Literature
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Saul Bellow wrote *Henderson the Rain King*, published in 1959. The novel follows Eugene Henderson, a troubled middle-aged man who, despite his riches, high social status, and physical prowess, feels restless and unfulfilled, harboring a spiritual void that manifests as an inner voice crying out 'I want, I want, I want.' Henderson goes to Africa, where he hires a native guide, Romilayu, who leads him to the village of the Arnewi. Henderson attempts to save the Arnewi by ridding their cistern of frogs, but his scheme ends in disaster, destroying the frogs and the cistern. Henderson and Romilayu then travel to the village of the Wariri, where Henderson performs a feat of strength by moving the giant wooden statue of the goddess Mummah and becomes the Wariri Rain King, Sungo. He befriends the western-educated King Dahfu, who houses a trained lioness, Atti. Dahfu's insistence on visiting the lioness angers traditionalists. When the former king's lion is located, a hunt fails, and the lion mortally wounds Dahfu. Henderson learns he is next in line for the throne but escapes with Dahfu's lion cub and returns to America with renewed interest in life.
Reader's Guide
In 1960, the Pulitzer Prize committee for fiction recommended *Henderson the Rain King* be awarded the prize, but the Pulitzer board overrode their recommendation and chose *Advise and Consent* by Allen Drury. A week before the novel appeared, Bellow published an article in *The New York Times* titled 'The Search for Symbols, a Writer Warns, Misses All the Fun and Fact of the Story,' warning readers against looking too deeply for symbols. The ongoing philosophical discussions in the novel prefigure elements of Bellow's next novel *Herzog* (1964). Scholars such as Bellow biographer James Atlas have shown that passages and ideas were lifted from *The Cattle Complex in East Africa* (1926) by Bellow's anthropology professor Melville Herskovits. The novel inspired Joni Mitchell to write the song 'Both Sides, Now' in 1967. Leon Kirchner adapted the novel into the libretto for his opera *Lily*, which premiered at the New York City Opera in spring 1977. The song 'Rain King' by Counting Crows from their 1993 album *August and Everything After* was inspired by the novel.
Did You Know?
- The novel was ranked number 21 on Modern Library's list of the 100 Best Novels in the English language.
- In 1960, the Pulitzer Prize committee recommended *Henderson the Rain King* for the prize, but the board overrode them and chose *Advise and Consent*.
- A passage in the novel inspired Joni Mitchell to write the song 'Both Sides, Now' in 1967.
- Leon Kirchner adapted the novel into the libretto for his opera *Lily*, which premiered at the New York City Opera in spring 1977.
- The song 'Rain King' by Counting Crows from their 1993 album *August and Everything After* was inspired by the novel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saul Bellow?
Saul Bellow was an American novelist born in Lachine, Quebec, in 1915 who became one of the most celebrated writers of the twentieth century. He is widely regarded as a master of the American novel, known for his psychologically rich, often comedic portrayals of intellectual life.
What are Saul Bellow's most famous novels?
His most acclaimed works include The Adventures of Augie March, Herzog, Henderson the Rain King, and Humboldt's Gift. Other well-known titles are Mr. Sammler's Planet, Seize the Day, and Ravelstein.
What major awards did Saul Bellow receive?
Bellow was the only author ever to win the National Book Award for Fiction three separate times. He also received the 1976 Nobel Prize in Literature and the National Book Foundation's lifetime Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 1990.
Why is Saul Bellow considered important to American literature?
Bellow is often seen as the defining American novelist of the postwar era, blending deep philosophical inquiry with sharp humor and vivid character work. His novels explored themes of identity, intellectual ambition, and the search for meaning in modern life, setting a standard that influenced generations of writers.
When did Saul Bellow die and where did he come from?
Bellow was born in Lachine, Quebec, in 1915 to a Jewish family and later became a naturalized American citizen in 1941. He passed away on April 5, 2005, in New York City.
More in Literary Giants 1-24
Elsewhere in the Literary Giants universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record