The first section of this collection of essays on author Saul Bellow contains biographical background and a brief essay outlining his influence and significance, representing the perspective of
The Paris Review literary magazine. The rest of the book examines themes in Bellow's writing and offers critical readings of works including The Victim, The Adventures of Augie March, Seize the
Day, and The Dean's December. Some themes explored are psychology and the fiction of Saul Bellow, the Holocaust and history in Bellow and Malamud, and Bellow and the literature of boredom. The
book contains a chronology and a list of works. Chavkin teaches English at Texas State University-San Marcos. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)