Moses Herzog is a former professor of romanticism, and he is in the midst of a midlife crisis. Having been twice divorced and somewhat estranged from his two children, one with each of his first two wives, he is reminiscing, reviewing memories, and trying to make sense of his life’s relationships. Much of the novel consists of letters Moses writes to people he has known and eminent people of the 1960s setting of the story. The book is told mainly in the third person, except for the many unsent letters. The views shared are those of Moses. The narration successfully convinces the reader that the legitimate viewpoints of other characters must be authentic. Still, there is not enough dialog or evidence to know whether Moses has projected these views upon them.
The narrator reveals his inconsistent philosophy about everything: politics, religion, sex, civilization, etc. Much of it is thought-provoking, yet it forces the reader to consider whether his stream of consciousness writing is insanity or simply the eccentrics of an academic. He is lonely and soul-searching about his decisions during his life. Saul Bellows’ story fleshes out a man’s extreme introspection and reflection. The novel forced me to wonder whether Moses and other academics can genuinely accept the ambiguities of life.
