Henderson the Rain King

Eugene Henderson travels to Africa to escape his deep existential discontent and the chaotic life he leads as a wealthy American pig farmer. Driven by a recurring inner voice that repeats 'I want, I want,' he hopes that encountering isolated tribes will give his life meaning. He brings very little practical knowledge but a massive amount of emotional baggage.

During his journey, Henderson interacts with two fictional tribes: the Arnewi and the Wariri. He attempts to help the Arnewi with their cattle plague and gets deeply entangled in the rituals of the Wariri. His time with the Wariri culminates in him moving a giant wooden statue, unwittingly making himself the rain king.

While Saul Bellow denied the character was a direct portrait of one specific person, Eugene Henderson's boisterous, larger-than-life personality was heavily inspired by Bellow's own friend. Scholars widely believe the character was modeled on the eccentric author Jack Ludwig, or perhaps aspects of Bellow's own restless nature. Henderson represents the archetypal restless, modern American.

The ending is generally optimistic, as Henderson learns valuable lessons about responsibility, humility, and compassion from his experiences in Africa. He realizes he cannot solve the world's problems with brute force and decides to return to America. The novel concludes with him on a flight back home, sharing a peaceful moment with an orphaned Persian boy, symbolizing his emotional growth.