Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Remembering Saul Bellow
There is a fascinating selection of Saul Bellow's letters to other writers and literary figures - including Philip Roth, William Faulkner, Bernard Malamud, John Berryman, John Cheever, Martin Amis, and Cynthia Ozick - in the April 26, 2010 issue of The New Yorker. The letters span over 50 years, from 1942 to 2004, shortly before Bellow's death in 2005. As I read them, I was reminded of how much I had admired and liked some of Bellow's novels during my college years, especially "The Adventures of Augie March", and - best of all - "Herzog." The latter was perfectly suited to my early-20s philosophizing years, when I was - in the way of many people of that age - trying to figure out "the meaning of life." I didn't read much Bellow after that, perhaps because I was busy discovering all the wonderful women writers who were not taught in my college classes. Some years later - perhaps in the 1980s - Bellow came to speak at the university where I teach, and afterward, was honored at a luncheon. I remember being in awe of having a meal in the same room with the great Saul Bellow, although not at the same table (I was too junior a faculty member then for that honor!). The only words we exchanged were a phrase or two, but it was an exciting and memorable occasion for me nevertheless.
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Isn't it interesting how some letters are saved? Of course if I'd gotten a letter from Saul Bellow I probably would have saved it! Mostly the only "letters" people get or send these days are emails. All those words, disappearing into the clouds. I have lots of letters I've saved through the years, though--yes, including some from you, Steph! You are much more organized and efficient than I, so I am guessing you don't have any from me. That's okay (sniff), although I'm sure the New Yorker would have treasured them (here is where I have gotten in a horrible emailing habit of inserting a "smiley face", something which would have horrified me in my actual-letter-writing days!).
ReplyDeleteI read Saul Bellow too back in the day--I'm pretty sure my favorite was "Augie", although do I remember anything but a vague sense of having liked it? Nope. Now if I'd written down my reaction in a letter and somebody had saved it, then I could consult it...
Mary, I too mourn the loss of real letters...although I am still a great believer in the (non-electronic) thank you note, the card of congratulations or sympathy, etc. I too have saved some letters, although many disappeared during various moves. I do have some of yours!
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