Archives: Saul Bellow

Literary deceptions, caricature, and a writer vs. an empire: newsletter, Dec. 14, 2018

December 17, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: books, fiction, journalism, Women writers and journalists, writers, writing.

This newsletter was sent to all of the subscribers on Jim’s list (2,967) on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.     Literary deceptions and caricatures (again) — those are the items we focus on in this week’s newsletter. But there more, too. When is it okay for an author to deceive readers? We have two instances • Read More »

Saul Bellow, a jerk and a determinedly great writer

December 11, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: books, fiction, journalism, writers, writing.

Saul Bellow is one of the giants of 20th century American literature — a writer of the first order who could mesmerize the reader with his prose. Yet personally, he could be — and often was — a jerk, demanding, demeaning, and thoroughly foul-tempered. What’s a biographer to do? The answer comes from Zachery Leader, • Read More »