Customer Reviews

The Honey Badger

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

CRITICS OFTEN ACCUSED RUARK OF TRYING TO WRITE LIKE HEMINGWAY. YOU CAN PUT ANY OF RUARK'S BOOKS AGAINST ANY OF HEMINGWAY'S AND LO, THE WINNER IS...RUARK. FOR PLOT, CHARACTERS, DESCRIPTIONS AND INTENSITY. THE HONEY BADGER IS NEW YORK, EUROPE, AFRICA, SWEAT, ANGER, LAUGHTER AND LIVING LIKE YOU WERE MEANT TO BE ALIVE.

Robert Chester Ruark was one of the mid-20th centuries "larger-than-life" characters: journalist, author, world traveller and big game hunter and in this, his last work, it is impossible to fathom where Ruark finishes and Alex Barr, the principal character starts. In "The Honey Badger", first published(posthumously) in 1965, Ruark - thru his hero -searches for a purpose to his existence in a tapestry encompassing the restaurants of New York, thru wartime London to the plains of Africa. And just what isa honey badger? A mean little animal which, when cornered, attacks straight for the balls!! Immensely readable.

Ruark wrote what he lived, nothing more. Do not look for psychological sophistication or fiction that operates on more than one level. Ruark was the epitome of the soldier of fortune most men dream about in their Mitty-like fantasies. Alive and healthy today, he would be in Afganistan as a correspondent looking for the head of bin Laden while making Geraldo look like an even bigger fool. The Honey Badger aptly describes Ruark's relationships with women and is a good read for insight into the '50s macho mentality. Women, then and now, openly condemn his as a sexist brute while secretly admiring his strength and masculinity...both sides of the same coin!

Ruark brings together, in one volume,all of the power and drama that typified his other works.This tale is a bit depressing because we are allowed to see how very vulnerable and human this this bold, cocksure storyteller really was.Still,your reading will be incomplete without the capstone to the Something of Value, Uhuru series.

Honey Badger is a great masterpiece of soul writing from a person who was on earth for a very short time and was able to keep his adventures with woman and romance alive for all generations who search for the truth about themselves and others. This is a PEOPLE's BOOK

I wanted to add to my collection of Robert Ruark books. After reading his three biographies I decided to collect all his books.

This book is the best I have ever read. Even it was in the Czech translation. It's nicely written, easy to read, and very interesting. It's worth reading.

Fun book to read, especially on a trip. Although there are plenty of books that show us how self-obsessed, wealthy alcoholics view the great unwashed while they self destruct (no wonder they compared Ruark to Hemingway), this one is a special treat.

Honey Badger is a great masterpiece of soul writing from a person who was on earth for a very short time and was able to keep his adventures with woman and romance alive for all generations who search for the truth about themselves and others. This is a PEOPLE's BOOK

A writer tells the story of how he and his wife break up. There is very little action here. What there is in every line is glib cracks, lame humor and sarcasm. Ruark even asks one of his characters: "Why can't people just talk without all the smart remarks and sarcasm?" Good question.