Saul Bellow - An Appeal
Christ these appeals, I’m a regular little Geldof junior ain’t I? I would however like to state that I have just finished Saul Bellow’s Herzog and loved it, certainly the best novel I’ve read this year so far. I shall not embarass myself in trying to uncover my admiration for it in this small space (or elsewhere probably, such is its intricacy), but I will say that the fusion, or rather synthesis, of emotion and mind, knowledge and spirit that it revels in is probably the key to its greatness. Anyway, my appeal is this, I’d like to read another Bellow novel not too far off - which would Splinters readers recommend?  Stephen Mitchelmore did a fine review of the later novel Ravelstein some years back, but didn’t seem to think that was up with Bellow’s best work. Which is the second best? Or is there one better?
Other Splinters posts of interest:
- No top ten
- Collected Bellow Does one wait for the paperba…
- Just in time for Christmas The Jesus Christ Sup…
- Bellow and the Puritans Just found James Wood’s…
- Michael Buerk: a diversion
Make A Comment: ( 7 so far )
7 Responses to “Saul Bellow - An Appeal”
Chris Hall
September 20th, 2007
Humboldt’s Gift is an incredible book too….
Paul Henry
September 20th, 2007
Chris Hall
I think Amis considers Augie March to the best American novel of the last hundred years, but he didn’t say it was the greatest of the century. In a century that produced Ulysses, In Search of Lost Time and Lolita (a semi-American novel?), he’d be off his head if he claimed that.
Ben, I would second the recommendation of Humboldt’s Gift as your next stop.
Jay
September 20th, 2007
I third the ‘Humboldt’s Gift’ recommendation. I’ve also read Bellow’s collected short stories, ‘Seize the Day’, ‘Augie March’ and ‘Herzog’ (and intend to get through the rest), but Humboldt’s Gift was the first and the most enjoyable, I found. I think I’ll go for either ‘More Die of Heartbreak’ or ‘Henderson the Rain King’ next…
Great site, by the way.
Tom
October 1st, 2007
I’ll add a fourth for Humboldt’s Gift. I’m something of a fan (I’ve read every book), but it’s to me the best and most enjoyable. From the first paragraph on, a great read. Ravelstein is also very, very good and an easier read.
I’d also recommend his short story ‘Looking for Mr. Green’ — it’s season-appropriate.
PMan
December 12th, 2007
[...] books I read in 2007 – two novels and a selection of stories and essays. The novels were Herzog by Saul Bellow, and Tarr by Wyndham Lewis, see my links for decidedly scrappy, limited and tenuous observations on [...]
2007 - My Year In Books · Splinters: Spike Magazine blog
December 30th, 2007
Ben, I’d recommend More Die of Heartbreak - fantastic. (Augie March goes without saying - Martin Amis considers it the best 20th century novel bar none…)