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Description edit
A chronicle of success and failure, this work is Bellow's tale of the writer's life in America. When Humboldt dies a failure in a seedy New York hotel, Charlie Citrine coping with the tribulations of his own success, begins to realize the significance of his own life.
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters edit
- Von Humboldt Fleisher: Based loosely on the poet Delmore Schwartz who was a mentor and friend of Bellows.
- Charlie Citrine: The Saul Bellow character
- Rinaldo Cantabile: Wannabe gangster
- Demmie Vonghel: Love interest
Quotes edit
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“And money wasn't what I had in mind. Oh God, no, what I wanted was to do good. I was dying to do something good.”
Humboldt -
“He's too drunk to find his way out of a sentence.”
Humboldt -
“Why Renata didn't need an ignition key to start a car. One of her kisses on the hood would turn it on. It would roar for her.”
Humboldt -
“It seems, after all, there are no nonpeculiar people.”
Setting & Locations edit
First Sentence edit
The book of ballads published by Von Humboldt Fleisher in the Thirties was an immediate hit.
Series & Lists edit
This is book 1976 of 85 in Pulitzer Prize Winners - Fiction. (authoritative list)
This is book 332 of 1286 in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (authoritative list)
This book is in Penguin Modern Classics. (publisher edition list)
This is book 10 of 10 in Publishers Weekly Bestselling Novels In 1975. (authoritative list)
This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This book is in Anthony Burgess's Ninety-Nine Novels: The Best in English since 1939 - A Personal Choice. (community list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Saul Bellow (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Viking Press
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1975
ISBN: 0380006553
Page Count: 487
Publisher: Viking Press
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1975
ISBN: 0380006553
Page Count: 487
Awards edit
- Pulitzer Prize (1976: Fiction)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PS3503.E4488 H8 2008
- Dewey: 813.52
Subjects edit
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