Ravelstein question

Humboldt's Gift. No question. Second choice, I would recommend either Herzog or Henderson the Rain King. Have fun! The great -- and rare thing -- about Bellow it should be noted is that among his novels there are virtually no clunkers. His standard is very high...

I recommend "Augie March" to start but agree with William that "Humboldt's Gift" and "Herzog" also are most worthy of your exploration. This genius won a Nobel Prize and over his entire career wrote spectacular literary novels many of which feature the great city of Chicago.

Hi there,

Ravelstein was also my intro to Bellow, and the one I've since read was Mr Sammler's Planet, which I also loved. I also have Augie March, Humboldt's Gift and the collected stories on my TBR.

One of those authors I am so glad I found. Simply wonderful.

Humboldt's Gift was my introduction to Bellow, and it remains my favourite. Herzog is also a stunning read - however, Herzog is very dense, and I believe requires a re-read - something I, personally, haven't gotten around to yet.

Some Die of Heartbreak is also very good.

Henderson the Rain King.

I'm with William and James. Humboldt's Gift. One of the great first pages in literature, and that's always a good sign.

Jonathan,

It may not be his 'best' but my favorite is Henderson the Rain King.

The Dangling Man is one of his pieces that until recently I had never read. A fairly short story, it tells a very Bellow-esque tale of a man facing conscription (military draft) and becoming more uncertain as time progresses without being called up.

Humboldt, Augie, Herzog are all part of the canon worth the time.

I've noted this before, but my mother and I share the experience, separated by 20+ years, of experiencing Bellow up close and personal at University. She at Northwestern and me at Univ. of Chicago.

Since you have read Ravelstein, Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom might be one to add to the list. Bloom is the role model for at least part of the Ravelstein character.