Conversations with Saul Bellow

Saul Bellow was truly a remarkable figure.

When he spoke extemporaneously, he was just as captivating as in his meticulously written, edited, and published works. His speaking style mirrored his writing, and what one read was essentially his voice.

His last wife, Janis, alluded to this in the more recent "Letters" when she described their first meeting at the University of Chicago. It wasn't just about speaking in complete sentences, which is a challenge for most busy professionals.

He was a bit cranky and seemed somewhat conservative regarding the changes of the 60s and 70s. However, considering the people he chose as acquaintances in his later life, like Kingsley Amis, it's evident that he was open to a thoughtful discussion about what needed to change. Saul avoided the simplistic narratives of the time, setting him apart from the prevailing retrospectives of that era.

But that's precisely what made him such an interesting human being and writer. His unique perspective and ability to think independently added depth and complexity to his works and made him a truly unforgettable literary figure.