Reviews

El hombre en suspenso by Saul Bellow

trisha_thomas's review against another edition

2.0

"no virtue could be considered greater than that of trying to preserve oneself."

For such a short book, this one is NOT light.
A story about Joseph, rebel and a little disillusioned with life. He spends his time doing pretty idle things.

But from there it's a little crazy. It's dense and a lot of inner ramblings and he struggles to explain to everyone and even himself, why he is so against work schedule and a planned day.

but I can't say I enjoyed it. The living arrangement (and the guy who never closed his bathroom door?) was confusing because I wasn't sure how much common space they shared.

although I did find the last few chapters interesting and even chuckled at the end.

juliekreddy's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

tbooks18's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

nbranca628's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

david_rhee's review against another edition

4.0

Saul Bellow called The Dangling Man one of his "apprentice works" and one could see why. He kept things simple with a journal format. By doing so, he saved himself a lot of setup work which freed him to concentrate on the book's strengths. At first, it looks like a confinement of scope but it allows for tighter focus on a distinct state of existence. The conversations between Joseph, the protagonist, and the Spirit of Alternatives were especially enjoyable. This is a good and short look into the question of human freedom...what it is and whether it is even what we want. What is freedom to you? Will it give you the breakthrough of your life? Or will it make your life unbearable and drive you to search for a master, any master?

madeleines's review against another edition

3.0

It was quite interesting to observe the helplessness of the main character and his "dangling" state of mind. Nevertheless, the rather self-indulgent narrator often got on my nerves with his recklessness and lengthy philosophical ponderings.

msreads's review against another edition

3.0

It was quite interesting to observe the helplessness of the main character and his "dangling" state of mind. Nevertheless, the rather self-indulgent narrator often got on my nerves with his recklessness and lengthy philosophical ponderings.

damc's review against another edition

3.0

the rather self-indulgent narrator speaks truthful volumes about an individual’s loss of self in a complex, modern world, but he also got on my nerves.

08151991j's review against another edition

2.0

Joseph is a man who desires to join the army to keep himself distracted from seeing traumatic things around him. He questions himself about who he is and what his role on earth is? Is he meant to join the military or should he continue his life in a job where he is truly not happy about. His wife and family are judgemental about him and questions his decisions.

ericdb42's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75