Herzog
Saul Bellow · 1915–2005 · Canada / USA
Why it matters
A twice-divorced professor writes unsent letters (to Nietzsche, Eisenhower, God) while his life burns down. The postwar novel of consciousness at its funniest and most humane; a bestseller about a man thinking.
At a glance
psychological novelphilosophical novel
Difficulty 7/10slow pace341 pagesStream-of-consciousness letters and dense intellectual allusion slow the pace.
Deep dive
Why Moses Herzog writes to Nietzsche, Eisenhower, and God but can't confront the two people who actually wronged him, and what it means that his last recorded thought is having nothing left to say.
Where to go next
Saul Bellow · 1953The Adventures of Augie MarchLvl 7Fast paced
Saul Bellow · 1970Mr. Sammler's PlanetLvl 7Slow burn
Saul Bellow · 1975Humboldt's GiftLvl 6Slow burn
Philip Roth · 1969Portnoy's ComplaintLvl 5Fast paced
Fyodor Dostoevsky · 1866Crime and PunishmentLvl 6Fast paced
Isaac Bashevis Singer · 1960The Magician of LublinLvl 5Medium pace