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murphyc1's review against another edition
4.0
I found it to be a bit of slog at times, but Herzog (the novel and its eponymous protagonist) might well represent the most convincing evocation of a living--and thinking-- human being that I have ever encountered in fiction. It is a wondrous thing, to find oneself so deeply inbedded within another person's consciousness. That is the gift of an experience that Saul Bellow offers readers with his National Book Award-winning novel, Herzog.
kdavisreich's review against another edition
2.0
My reviews always reflect my enjoyment of a book, and aren't meant to be statements about their quality as a piece of art. This book is obviously better than two stars. But I had a hard time engaging with it. There was much more going on than I was appreciating, for sure, and I tended to space out during the letters. It might have been partly the audio format, although the narration was pretty good.
loonyboi's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, but I think I would have enjoyed this a bit more if I hadn't read Martin Amis' [b:Money|18825|Money|Martin Amis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1367084993l/18825._SY75_.jpg|85999], clearly heavily influenced by it, first. Generally I liked this though. Some good writing, although some sections felt unnecessary, particularly the ending, which dragged on far longer than it needed to.
iamjudgedredd's review against another edition
4.0
A lot to consider in this book, some parts are simply sublime. highly recommend.
rachelevolve's review against another edition
2.0
In this book we read about an intellectual who is dealing with marital issues and friendship betrayal, a man, Herzog, who although seems oblivious to the trivialities of an average persons day to day life, is quite neurotic about his own, and tends to over-think of the wrongs and trespasses that have been committed against him. So much so, that he writes unsent letters to all the people who he hasn't had the pleasure of giving them a piece of his mind.
I often wondered if Herzog's cerebral endowment is what negatively affected all of his personal relationships in life, or if the people surrounding him are insecure of their own place in the world of the intellectual elite.. or perhaps he's simply delusional? I mean, in this book, everyone, according to Herzog, had brain envy. When he finally decides to mentally move on from beautiful, captivating, breath-taking, almost equally as intelligent but psychotic wife Madeleine, who apparently was having an affair with his close friend, Gerbach, he declares, "Enjoy her- rejoice in her, you will not reach me through her, however. I know you sought me in her flesh, but I am no longer there". Sure, let it be said that we're all aware of Herzog's mensa-like mind, but that is an incredible amount of self-pomp, if you as me.
As a read, the book is pretty much clear and straightforward. I could see how many readers might enjoy it more than I did. One thing I did find refreshing about the story is how Herzog, in the end, seems to find his way and comes to terms with accepting what has happened to him. Very Eat, Pray, Love. To be honest I thought he was going to shoot his brains out in the Berkshire house. That would've been a very interesting ending.
I often wondered if Herzog's cerebral endowment is what negatively affected all of his personal relationships in life, or if the people surrounding him are insecure of their own place in the world of the intellectual elite.. or perhaps he's simply delusional? I mean, in this book, everyone, according to Herzog, had brain envy. When he finally decides to mentally move on from beautiful, captivating, breath-taking, almost equally as intelligent but psychotic wife Madeleine, who apparently was having an affair with his close friend, Gerbach, he declares, "Enjoy her- rejoice in her, you will not reach me through her, however. I know you sought me in her flesh, but I am no longer there". Sure, let it be said that we're all aware of Herzog's mensa-like mind, but that is an incredible amount of self-pomp, if you as me.
As a read, the book is pretty much clear and straightforward. I could see how many readers might enjoy it more than I did. One thing I did find refreshing about the story is how Herzog, in the end, seems to find his way and comes to terms with accepting what has happened to him. Very Eat, Pray, Love. To be honest I thought he was going to shoot his brains out in the Berkshire house. That would've been a very interesting ending.
13ux's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
reachant's review against another edition
3.0
Finally I finished this book! It was one of the best written but most tedious books I have ever read, and I had to keep taking breaks from it to get through it. If you like existentialism, you may like this book.
lauren708's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed this. It wasn't exactly riveting, but I think most of us can relate to Moses Herzog and that is the value. I enjoyed the epistolary element and the tie-in to Romanticism.
matthijsgardeniers's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5