Book Review: Herzog

Herzog by Saul Bellow

This one started out one of those bedside books out of which only a page or two might be read before sleep closed one eye. Other books, several of them, came and got in the way, but finally I had to make it the priority. The only reason a book takes so long is if it is difficult or not particularly interesting. This one was both.

It is a traditional psychological novel and we spend the entire 400+ pages of it inside the mind of Moses Herzog. It isn't the best place to be. I actually tend to like these stories and at times this one was brilliant, but often it all came off as rambling. He has a fair amount going on, a number of neuroses that kept it interesting, but I got the feeling early on that very little was going to happen. I enjoyed bits, but it was a tough read. Admirable in some aspects, but not really worth a recommendation.