Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow reads his fiction

[@MrShempenman]

Wow! Big thanks for this. There is so little Saul Bellow online that this is much appreciated. Here's to Augie and Herzog!

[@petestevens3970]

How pleasant. Thank you.

[@suttree3233]

Clearly a towering intellect--Herzog comes in the post tomorrow. Am excited.

[@hassanharazi6126]

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[@dvrath334]

What a gift this video is-thank you!

[@blackbird5634]

"It is hard work, and great art, to make life, not so serious." -John Irving.

[@KarenGarcia-wg8fo]

My Mother graduated from Turkey High School in 1954, Bellow’s Alma mater as well

[@MegaTapas123]

The beautiful characteristic of Saul bellow that he is energetic and smiling and not trying to be a somebody, he is just alive and responds so well , that shows in his writing, perhaps he does not dwell in over thinking he is much skilled craftsman and produced so many good works, I wish he was alive.

[@AgrippaPetronius1903]

Such innocence and joy in the speaker and the questioning....another world

[@hocopolitso]

Dear friend, so glad you appreciated the program. Indeed, a different time. But good literature can make those kinds of joy and questions happen any time. Try one of our other programs, perhaps our Grace Paley interview, or Colum McCann. Thanks for watching

[@hocopolitso]

What an interesting perspective to bring to Bellow's work. I'm glad you've been inspired to learn more about your family. If you enjoyed this piece, may I suggest our show on Grace Paley, a short story writer and activist who was also fascinating. All the best, HoCoPoLitSo

[@markhasleton6403]

I love you brother

[@LalicaBRUS]

I´m not a real Jew. My family was forced to convert to Catholicism around 400 years ago, but Saul Bellow makes me want to learn more about my Jewish background... but I can say that I still relate to Leventhal... How self-conscious he was about the way people perceived him.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

I keep watching this.....and new sources of delight keep popping up

[@hocopolitso]

What a wonderful comment, Patrick Brennan. We're glad you enjoyed the show. Bellow was definitely on his game that day!

[@WaAaAaAaW]

This guy is a genius, loved all his books. Sucks I have read them all in Dutch, would love to read them in their original language.

[@HomeAtLast501]

You'd be amazed at the advances that have been made in global commerce and transport technology. You could have a copy in English within days.

[@hocopolitso]

Thanks for your comment. Unplugging from television is a good idea -- Herzog would approve -- but keep watching these fabulous writers on HoCoPoLitSo's The Writing Life.

[@HomeAtLast501]

I'm not being moved. It's too mechanical and derived from pure intellect.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Henderson looks for forgiveness, for its source, and finds only money.....hilarious, tragic, and a comment on our money-seeking society Bellow is a humble man, who experienced the depression- he should make no apologies for his intellect. When he’s down, he meets first rate people- and appreciating eccentrics gave him his start. Mechanical? You’re missing who this man is. He pushes away celebrity, and is very kind to the audience. He shares what he learned about writing with strangers, generously. “ it’s a good time to learn something from them” - “but it’s a good idea” - those are not statements from “pure intellect”, they reflect humility. He invented a new sentence, constantly probing the human condition and where life’s meanings are found - DEEPLY moving writing. You’re missing it, and missing out - read Herzog or Humboldt’s gift. And consider appreciating intellect instead of.....whatever it is you’re doing

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Wow ! Prominently featured on “ American masters“, “the adventures of Saul Bellow” which aired last night. Quotes about the Nobel prize etc Excellent! Patrick Brennan

[@anthonyperry7296]

Bellows intellect is awesome.I love him.

[@srothbardt]

“Henderson the Rain King “? Never read that one. Style sounds like “Herzog”. and some other of his work.

[@Adam-Epler]

It’s a riot. Try it!

[@লেখাপড়াওআলোচনা]

Good writer.

[@bevaconme]

yes, as michelangelo is a good sculptor.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

Is the recording of the press conference mentioned in the description available?

[@hocopolitso]

Hi Patrick, this was recorded many years ago, and the tape is unreliable at this point. For now, I'll have to say no, it's unavailable. But I'll look into it. Thanks for the good question.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

@@hocopolitso Any progress? Thanks!

[@Lot94ta3]

Loistava lukuromaani höystettynä Bellowille tyypillisillä filosofisilla oivalluksilla (alku on tosin liian esittelevä, siksi laahaava). Eräs kirjan loppupuolella olevan kohtauksen - koen sen eräänlaisena elämän metaforana, joka se ilmeisesti on - voisi vaikka lukea hautajaisissani. JL

[@hocopolitso]

Translation from Finnish: A brilliant reader with Bellow's typical philosophical insights (the beginning is, however, too overwhelming). One of the scenes at the end of the book - I see it as a kind of metaphor of life that it seems - could even read in my funeral. Dear Jari Lepistö, Thank you so much for your interest in Saul Bellow, and your take on his insights. We appreciate your literary sense, and hope you watch more of our shows. Kiitos paljon kiinnostuksestamme Saul Bellowiin, ja otaksu hänen näkemyksistään. Arvostamme kirjallisuutta ja toivomme, että katsot enemmän näyttelyistämme.

[@philipose66]

i have read most of his books---i like how he writes and what he writes about---long ago, i got lucky and watched a public tv movie "Seize the Day" (very difficult to find the movie). A masterpiece of a production, acting and directing--great script. So, i had to read the creator of that idea. I must say, the movie is so much better than the book---maybe because my brain is incapable of 'SEEING' what the director saw in this writing of Bellow's. How can i//me possibly imagine the whole of Tommy Wilhelm without the help of Robin Williams. Words are 2 dimensional--the movie is 4 dimensional with professionals interpreting and enhancing the brilliance of Bellow'si dea.

[@patrickbrennan2864]

I saw him in San Antonio, before he started I mentioned to the woman next to me that the movie was equal to the book. Then at the end during the question and answer, someone asked him about Robin Williams and Seize the day. He said Robin Williams is a fine actor, but I could only watch 10 minutes - it was clear I had written something completely different. I wished he would elaborate- Guess I wouldn’t make it as a movie critic! He was absolutely delightful

[@philipose66]

@@patrickbrennan2864 i guess only an in depth discussion with Bellow would reveal why he had the need to dismiss the movie. I could guess why--ego?--writing to him is in general a higher level of art?---i don't get it tho---the movie absolutely revealed who the characters were--"Saul. those are not your characters?"

[@srothbardt]

As Dr. Johnson said , one writes for money. Why else should one write? Because you HAVE to.

[@hocopolitso]

Hi AmauryPenseur, He was a genius. And I loved how he was so patient with the students and their questions. If you like Saul Bellow, try watching our show on Reynolds Price, another great American novelist. Merci and dank u, HoCoPoLitSo

[@ianmartinezcassmeyer]

It must come from all those years of teaching.