robin’s review of Dangling Man > Likes and Comments
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It is good to be reminded of this very early novel by Saul Bellow, who was himself apparently "dangling" at the time, fearful of being drafted & of losing his freedom to chart his own paths as a young man. It isn't considered one of his best books but at the time I read it ages ago, I did find it memorable, though hardly in a class with Herzog or Augie March. You are correct in emphasizing Bellow's capture of street sounds, distinct voices & regional accents, much like Mark Twain but also like Dickens & Balzac well before.
Quo wrote: "It is good to be reminded of this very early novel by Saul Bellow, who was himself apparently "dangling" at the time, fearful of being drafted & of losing his freedom to chart his own paths as a yo..."
Bellow disavowed the book, but I still like it.
For some reason, Saul Bellow has never captivated me, no matter how many attempts I've made. (And there will be more, I'm sure...) And every time I criticize him in GoodReads, I get angry rebuttals. I read Dangling Man and it left me...well, dangling. There was one conversation (in a restaurant, if I remember) that I thought was hilarious, a bit like some of Don Delillo's absurd conversations, but this book never inflamed me into being a Bellow fan. (And there are multitudes of admirers, I'll admit.) I may take another shot one day, after I finish some of the thousands of other books on my backlist, but I may wait a while also.
Dennis wrote: "For some reason, Saul Bellow has never captivated me, no matter how many attempts I've made. (And there will be more, I'm sure...) And every time I criticize him in GoodReads, I get angry rebuttals..."
Well, Dennis, Bellow might agree with you. He disclaimed Dangling Man as an apprentice piece. His latter books are tough reading indeed but worthwhile.
I was attacked over "More Die of Heartbreak" as well, one of his last novels, which I found excruciating to get through. Philip Roth was a better "muser" over getting older (as we all seem to be getting...)
One shortfall of the novel is that Joseph is a tiresome character---he is a jerk to nearly everyone. That makes listening to him wearying. Yet, I kept reading because the novel has gems like this one dropped in it:
"All striving is for one end.... its final end is the desire for pure freedom. We are all drawn towards the same craters of the spirit---to know what we are and what we are for, to know our purpose, to seek grace."
Thanks for reading and for the perceptive comment and quote, Kevin.
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Quo
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May 08, 2019 12:30PM
It is good to be reminded of this very early novel by Saul Bellow, who was himself apparently "dangling" at the time, fearful of being drafted & of losing his freedom to chart his own paths as a young man. It isn't considered one of his best books but at the time I read it ages ago, I did find it memorable, though hardly in a class with Herzog or Augie March. You are correct in emphasizing Bellow's capture of street sounds, distinct voices & regional accents, much like Mark Twain but also like Dickens & Balzac well before.
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Quo wrote: "It is good to be reminded of this very early novel by Saul Bellow, who was himself apparently "dangling" at the time, fearful of being drafted & of losing his freedom to chart his own paths as a yo..."Bellow disavowed the book, but I still like it.
For some reason, Saul Bellow has never captivated me, no matter how many attempts I've made. (And there will be more, I'm sure...) And every time I criticize him in GoodReads, I get angry rebuttals. I read Dangling Man and it left me...well, dangling. There was one conversation (in a restaurant, if I remember) that I thought was hilarious, a bit like some of Don Delillo's absurd conversations, but this book never inflamed me into being a Bellow fan. (And there are multitudes of admirers, I'll admit.) I may take another shot one day, after I finish some of the thousands of other books on my backlist, but I may wait a while also.
Dennis wrote: "For some reason, Saul Bellow has never captivated me, no matter how many attempts I've made. (And there will be more, I'm sure...) And every time I criticize him in GoodReads, I get angry rebuttals..."Well, Dennis, Bellow might agree with you. He disclaimed Dangling Man as an apprentice piece. His latter books are tough reading indeed but worthwhile.
I was attacked over "More Die of Heartbreak" as well, one of his last novels, which I found excruciating to get through. Philip Roth was a better "muser" over getting older (as we all seem to be getting...)
One shortfall of the novel is that Joseph is a tiresome character---he is a jerk to nearly everyone. That makes listening to him wearying. Yet, I kept reading because the novel has gems like this one dropped in it:"All striving is for one end.... its final end is the desire for pure freedom. We are all drawn towards the same craters of the spirit---to know what we are and what we are for, to know our purpose, to seek grace."
Thanks for reading and for the perceptive comment and quote, Kevin.
