Saul Bellow: Letters

Edited by Benjamin Taylor

Unexpected – In reading this collection I was surprised mostly by Bellow’s sense of humor. For some reason – perhaps the Nobel Prize? or his connection to the solemn grayness that, for me, is the University of Chicago? – I expected Bellow’s letters to be serious and self-important, with wit, yes, but devoid of even the hint of silliness. Surprise. All of that likely is because I haven’t read Bellow’s novels; I know the stories about Bellow, but I don’t know Bellow’s stories. So – onto the novels.