Is it better than Herzog? I read that 20 years ago and haven't returned to Bellow since. It's like Philip Roth at his most resentful but without the laughs.....
Hi, I've read them both (though decades ago). I think Augie is better than Herzog - at least the three of us would think it better. Augie is more exuberant and a little more traditional in structure, but it still has many flashes of Bellow's beautiful and energetic writing style. Herzog has more amazing stylistic flourishes than Augie but eventually I think it's bogged down by - as you mention - the resentments (esp. vs. women) and the innumerable letters that the protagonist writes to people he knows, people he knew, then famous people of the present, and later famous people of the past. Martin, I suggest you try Augie! and Liza, try dipping into at least a little of Herzog, just to get a taste of it.
I love this - one suggestion - maybe the study questions could be split up by portion of the book to facilitate episodic reading?
Great idea, thanks!
Is it better than Herzog? I read that 20 years ago and haven't returned to Bellow since. It's like Philip Roth at his most resentful but without the laughs.....
Have not read Herzog but I greatly enjoyed Augie. Worth checking out :)
Hi, I've read them both (though decades ago). I think Augie is better than Herzog - at least the three of us would think it better. Augie is more exuberant and a little more traditional in structure, but it still has many flashes of Bellow's beautiful and energetic writing style. Herzog has more amazing stylistic flourishes than Augie but eventually I think it's bogged down by - as you mention - the resentments (esp. vs. women) and the innumerable letters that the protagonist writes to people he knows, people he knew, then famous people of the present, and later famous people of the past. Martin, I suggest you try Augie! and Liza, try dipping into at least a little of Herzog, just to get a taste of it.