Resumo de Herzog - Saul Bellow

The first time I tried to read Herzog, I couldn't get past page 30. The main character reminded me way too much of my boss at the time, an egotistical middle aged man with a burning desire to prove to EVERYONE that he was absolutely right about EVERYTHING. They also shared the perplexing habit of insisting on writing letters to people instead of using the telephone (I guess because then the other person cannot argue back).

However, I just picked up Herzog again, and it goes to show that literature truly does have an interaction with the world. I loved it! It is incredible how much our mindset affects what we enjoy about reading. This time around, Herzog's obsessive note scribbling, neurosis, and deep woe about his wife's betrayal were completely fascinating, entertaining, and quite moving. Perhaps this change in my perspective was due to the fact that I made it further into the book and realized that Herzog never sent the letters he wrote, that they were more letters to himself than anything. I found this at once to be something I could identify with, and also something a bit pathetic. Truly, Herzog's character stoops to new levels of pity, the man becomes an effigy of despair during the course of the novel, and if there were an award for most pathetic character in a novel, Herzog would be a frontrunner. However, the book revels in this utter despair and makes it hilarious and human.

The book explores the concept of what it is like to be a man in this modern age and all the psychosis that comes from just trying to make it through. The war of the sexes gets some excellent treatment here as well, with Herzog wondering at length on the female character, sometimes in quite funny ways. Bellow explores the expectations one has in relationships and the ways in which two people can enrich or ruin each other?s lives. In the aftermath of his wife?s ultimate betrayal (you?ll have to read the book to learn the dirt on this one ? but she?s a fantastic character, a red headed, brilliant, imposing creature), Herzog contemplates at length the idea of an ideal mate. Should it be someone that makes you comfortable and satisfies your earthly needs, or someone who inspires you and fills your every moment with passion (but who may screw you over in the end).

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