Saul Bellow

The story of Tommy Wilhelm, an honest, hard-working man who has lost his job, his girlfriend, and part of his sanity as he heads to New York to pick up the pieces of his life.

Encouraged by his friend, Chick, to write down his ideas about humankind, university professor Abe Ravelstein receives unexpected acclaim and bounty and invites Chick to join his his success, a situation that sparks a philosophical journey for both.

The third volume of the Library of America's edition of Saul Bellow's complete novels collects three essential works: Mr. Sammler's Planet (1970), Humboldt's Gift (1975) -- and The Dean's December (1982). In each, Bellow shows himself a master of biting social commentary and bold characterization--above all through a trio of unforgettable protagonists. These novels, written in the period of Bellow's greatest literary and popular acclaim--he was awarded...

"A funny and moving love story, The Actual centres on Chicagoan Harry Trellman who, after a lifetime of making money, has become `a first class noticer' - and he realizes he has been in love since high school days with Amy Wustrin. Now he is ready to pursue her, in the romantic golden-year ambience of a cemetery. The Actual is a work of ripened vision from one of the greatest writers in the English language"--Amazon.com.

Through the eyes of an elderly Polish Jew, a comment on 20-century existence. A former journalist and survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, he lives in New York's upper west side, musing on the loss of tradition, roots, and ideals, and eyeing various family crises with curious but objective eyes.

Tommy Wilhelm's life is falling apart. He's lost his job and his girlfriend, his investments have gone sour, he trusts the wrong people with the little money he has left, and he's rejected by his own father. Quite simply, Tommy is a portrait of failure.