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Title: Herzog (Penguin Modern Classics Fiction) by Saul Bellow, Malcolm Bradbury ISBN: 0-14-118487-6 Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd Pub. Date: 26 April, 2001 Format: Paperback |
Average Customer Rating: 3.55 (38 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A lesson in closure.
Comment: Saul Bellow is a brilliant writer, yet I must admit "Herzog" did not capture me as I had hoped it would. Bellow's mastery of prose is stunning, yet "Herzog" seemed to be a bit lacking in just that extra something that separates a really good book from a masterpiece. Moses Herzog seems to be a man who lives a great deal in his own mind, and is filled with inaction fraught with contemplation. He writes letters to persons living, dead, famous and obscure which are never sent, mostly in an attempt to purge his own soul of all the things he sees wrong in the world and his own life. Just as Eugene Henderson was a man of constant action with very little forethought,Herzog, conversely, is a man of too little action and paralyzed with overcontemplation. His letters show the brilliant mind of the man, yet some become quite heady and can quickly lose the attention of a reader who is not familiar with the particular subject which he is speaking about. Plot and action seem to take a back seat in this piece to masterful character development, and it is safe to say that anyone who has gone through an ordeal such as Herzog has will be able to understand and appreciate his feelings and what he's going through. The facts are cut and dried; his wife left him for his best friend, so he attempts to put himself back together and remain a part of his daughter's life. This book is about the journey as much as it is about the destination. It is highly autobiographical with a thin veneer of "fiction" attached to it, as the whole premise of the book echoes the events of Bellow's life at the time it was written, and not suprisingly, the point of view often switches from first to third person almost subconsciously. This work strikes me as a personal catharsis for the author, and a chance for him to indulge the audiences' voyeuristic side. It is clever, masterfully written, and is certainly a heart rending ride through not only Herzog's but also Bellow's life. It is a piece which has the ability to speak volumes to some, yet is without meaning to others. If you can appreciate the purpose the letters serve and the artful way the piece is constructed, you can forgive the sometimes sluggish plot. For those who have read this book as an introduction to Bellow and were turned off from his work by it, I suggest reading "Henderson the Rain King". Perhaps it will give you a greater appreciation of this fine author. "Herzog" can be very powerful to the right reader, and if nothing else, speaks volumes about the author himself.
Rating: 5
Summary: Bellow is the Master!
Comment: I don't think any other contemporary writer can write with the realism or conviction of Saul Bellow. While most writers these days are going for the absurd and black humor, Bellow tells tales of people dealing with issues that threaten to tear them apart and he can do it in a way that makes the book a fascinating and entertaining read.
Herzog is, of course, no exception. Moses Herzog is a likable fellow who really doesn't deserve all that happened to him, but still has his flaws (he ponders killing his ex-wife and finds that he wouldn't have any problem doing it, although he doesn't), and that makes him, and his problems, all the more real. The way he tears his heart out in his letters, letters that are never sent, in a strange and interesting way to look into the soul of a man baring himself to the world.
Along with Mr. Sammler's Planet, this book forms some of the pillars of modern literature and are written in a style that is often emulated, but never equalled. Don't read those copying Bellow's style, read the man himself. Start here, start anywhere. Just read the book already.
Rating: 5
Summary: A satisfying American masterpiece
Comment: From the opening line, "If I'm out of my mind, it's all right with me," the reader becomes ensnared by Moses Herzog's churning mind, the mind of a man who sits on the border of of a new period in his life. He sways on the precipice, constantly looking backwards in order to make his next step forward. He worries if he is crazy--and so will the reader, as he or she picks through pages of unsent letters that Herzog composes on a whim. Addressed to people ranging from his ex-wives to God, the letters span various topics, and in doing so, they give the reader an amazing insight into Herzog's situation.
Bellow remains a masterful storyteller, though if you're looking for an action-filled novel, this isn't the one for you. His descriptions are impeccable, and I don't know of any modern novelists who can depict characters in such a masterly fashion. As you read, the images flow into your mind seamlessly; there are very few times that you have to stop reading in order to compose a mental image of what is depicted. Despite Herzog's academic rants, Bellow manages to create a character so familiar in Americana: constantly moving, constantly disappointed, and constantly searching for his or her next step. Bellow's novels are among the most satisfying reads; while difficult, they leave you with the feeling that you have eaten a large yet nonfilling meal, and while your stomach acknowledges that you've eaten a lot, you're still hungry for more.
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Title: The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow ISBN: 0140189416 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: October, 1996 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Humboldt's Gift (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) by Saul Bellow ISBN: 0140189440 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: June, 1996 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Ravelstein by Saul Bellow ISBN: 0141001763 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 01 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Mr. Sammler's Planet (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics) by Saul Bellow, Stanley Crouch ISBN: 014018936X Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: March, 1996 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Collected Stories by Saul Bellow, James Wood, Janis Bellow ISBN: 0142001643 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: November, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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