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bojangacic's review
Praznik je svaki put kada se podsetimo šta volimo da čitamo. Privilegija je kada nas naslov podseti zašto volimo da čitamo. Iako stoji teza da draž nekada leži u odlasku u druge svetove, ipak se velika većina nas okreće umetnosti ne radi potrage za kakvim portalom u drugačije, već radi reafirmacije sopstvenog stanja i pronalaženja sebe u melodiji, (pokretnoj) slici, kao i tekstu. Ta priča, kojeg god bila žanra, tona i strukture, uvek sadrži detalj, srebrnu nit za kojom tragamo, za koju se hvatamo, inherentnu našem životnom iskustvu.
Takođe postajemo svesni položaja čitaoca u odnosu na malo više od pola veka. Činjenica da je "Hercog" bio bestseler, a ljudi stajali u redovima kako bi došli do svog primerka, govori da se od nas danas očekuje znatno manje, te izdavačka industrija rizikuje da ode putem filma- rimejkovi i blokbasteri su se uglavnom gledali leti, danas čine okosnicu kinematografskog iskustva.
To ne znači da bi svaka knjiga trebalo da zahteva ogroman napor, naprotiv, predah je poželjan. Ali u čemu je svrha čitanja ako nas ne istera iz komfor zone i aktivira naše kapacitete? Pisanje zahteva rad, dobro pisanje zahteva mukotrpan rad. Stoga, očekivati neki stepen reciprociteta u pogledu uloženog truda kod nas, kao receptora stvaralaštva, je više nego opravdano.
U središtu "Hercoga" nalazimo sveže razvedenog univerzitetskog profesora sa dva propala braka i dvoje otuđene dece, u dubokom mulju krize srednjih godina. Većina romana se sastoji iz pisama koje Mozes Hercog adresira, ali nikada ne šalje, na stvarne i izmišljene pojedince: prijatelje, ljubavnice, poznate ličnosti, političke figure i poresku upravu.
Strah od gubitka identiteta kod modernog čoveka čini srž romana američkog nobelovca Sola Beloa. Kroz pisanje Hercog pokušava da iznova nađe sebe, snažnijeg, onakvog pre nego što su ga pojedinci u njegovom životu, pa i društvo kao celina, sveli na ovu anksioznu individuu.
Splet lične filozofije, dubokih uverenja, još dubljeg razočaranja, britkog humora, blage histerije, potere za drugom šansom ne čine Hercoga nužno dopadljivim, već bliskim. Jer svi plovimo na talasima životog nevremena na večitom balansu između digniteta i poniženja, u želji i nadi da više budemo heroji a ne žrtve sopstvenih okolnosti.
Za Beloa jezik je jednako gradivni blok koliko je kugla za rušenje. Književna velesila kakva jeste, postepeno gradi narativni tok ispresecan rečenicama koje nekada teku sporo i razgranato, a nekada udaraju poput teretnog voza, dok kroz celokupnu dinamiku i tekstualnu zahtevnost dominiraju velika srčanost, ljudskost i emocionalna snaga.
Ko će danas pisati ovako? Dati život književnosti? Svakako da ima plemenitih izuzetaka, ali bojazan leži baš u tome što su to retke zverke. Hoće li izumreti, zavisi od nas. Na kraju, publika će dobiti ono što traži, treba se trgnuti i tražiti više.
Takođe postajemo svesni položaja čitaoca u odnosu na malo više od pola veka. Činjenica da je "Hercog" bio bestseler, a ljudi stajali u redovima kako bi došli do svog primerka, govori da se od nas danas očekuje znatno manje, te izdavačka industrija rizikuje da ode putem filma- rimejkovi i blokbasteri su se uglavnom gledali leti, danas čine okosnicu kinematografskog iskustva.
To ne znači da bi svaka knjiga trebalo da zahteva ogroman napor, naprotiv, predah je poželjan. Ali u čemu je svrha čitanja ako nas ne istera iz komfor zone i aktivira naše kapacitete? Pisanje zahteva rad, dobro pisanje zahteva mukotrpan rad. Stoga, očekivati neki stepen reciprociteta u pogledu uloženog truda kod nas, kao receptora stvaralaštva, je više nego opravdano.
U središtu "Hercoga" nalazimo sveže razvedenog univerzitetskog profesora sa dva propala braka i dvoje otuđene dece, u dubokom mulju krize srednjih godina. Većina romana se sastoji iz pisama koje Mozes Hercog adresira, ali nikada ne šalje, na stvarne i izmišljene pojedince: prijatelje, ljubavnice, poznate ličnosti, političke figure i poresku upravu.
Strah od gubitka identiteta kod modernog čoveka čini srž romana američkog nobelovca Sola Beloa. Kroz pisanje Hercog pokušava da iznova nađe sebe, snažnijeg, onakvog pre nego što su ga pojedinci u njegovom životu, pa i društvo kao celina, sveli na ovu anksioznu individuu.
Splet lične filozofije, dubokih uverenja, još dubljeg razočaranja, britkog humora, blage histerije, potere za drugom šansom ne čine Hercoga nužno dopadljivim, već bliskim. Jer svi plovimo na talasima životog nevremena na večitom balansu između digniteta i poniženja, u želji i nadi da više budemo heroji a ne žrtve sopstvenih okolnosti.
Za Beloa jezik je jednako gradivni blok koliko je kugla za rušenje. Književna velesila kakva jeste, postepeno gradi narativni tok ispresecan rečenicama koje nekada teku sporo i razgranato, a nekada udaraju poput teretnog voza, dok kroz celokupnu dinamiku i tekstualnu zahtevnost dominiraju velika srčanost, ljudskost i emocionalna snaga.
Ko će danas pisati ovako? Dati život književnosti? Svakako da ima plemenitih izuzetaka, ali bojazan leži baš u tome što su to retke zverke. Hoće li izumreti, zavisi od nas. Na kraju, publika će dobiti ono što traži, treba se trgnuti i tražiti više.
whiffer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
musicsaves's review
3.0
Whew! Had to really push myself through this one, breaking one of my cardinal reading rules: “If you’re not engaged by page 50, quit!” I pushed on because as soon as I’d start getting impatient with the lengthy philosophical ramblings (Herzog’s letters to a wide array of people) he would do something heart-breakingly human. AND...this is one of those “reads” that’s supposed to be “good for you.” So I pressed on and was rewarded with a perfect little ending. I grew to care deeply for this guy who seemed so pathetic through most of the book as he tended to wallow in self-pity. Fortunately, his “awakening” toward the end was redeeming. Not enough to make me shout about how much everyone needs to go on this same reading journey, but enough to make me glad that I did.
splitgirl_1's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Blood
christianholub's review
3.0
Although the plot is a little boring and Herzog's letters are a little incomprehensible without in-depth knowledge (and understanding) of Romantic philosophy, Bellow's prose and storytelling are always enjoyable.
elise_dragon13's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
evetoi's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racial slurs
tomleetang's review
4.0
The story of a midlife existential crisis seen through eccentric, humorous eyes. How did I enjoy a 350-page book where nothing much happens except the dissection of a man's obsession with the breakdown of his marriage? That in itself is a monumental achievement! There is heartache, but it is wreathed in whimsical pontification and wry observation.
Sometimes - indeed most of the time - navel gazing, particularly the kind propounded by old white men, bores me. This is one of those rare books that makes you reconsider a genre of fiction you had previously dismissed. Maybe I should even give Roth another go - though on second thought, no, because what attracts me seems uniquely Bellowian. I was vaguely amused about the forgettable Seize the Day, but here true brilliance sparkles. How well educated dear Herzog is, and yet still as befuddled by woman and by life as ever. Men not understanding women may seem old hat as a theme, but here it still feels fresh even 50 years on.
The strange philosophical letters Herzog writes to people but never sends are a brilliant narrative device. They seem to allow for the subconscious to come to the fore, so there's almost a dialogue between conscious and subconscious Herzog.
The novel seems to wonder about the hopelessness of intellect, the pointlessness of philosophical struggles - is it ultimately worth self examination? Plato's words about the unexamined life hang over the narrative like a sardonic spectre.
Sometimes - indeed most of the time - navel gazing, particularly the kind propounded by old white men, bores me. This is one of those rare books that makes you reconsider a genre of fiction you had previously dismissed. Maybe I should even give Roth another go - though on second thought, no, because what attracts me seems uniquely Bellowian. I was vaguely amused about the forgettable Seize the Day, but here true brilliance sparkles. How well educated dear Herzog is, and yet still as befuddled by woman and by life as ever. Men not understanding women may seem old hat as a theme, but here it still feels fresh even 50 years on.
The strange philosophical letters Herzog writes to people but never sends are a brilliant narrative device. They seem to allow for the subconscious to come to the fore, so there's almost a dialogue between conscious and subconscious Herzog.
The novel seems to wonder about the hopelessness of intellect, the pointlessness of philosophical struggles - is it ultimately worth self examination? Plato's words about the unexamined life hang over the narrative like a sardonic spectre.
aa_travers's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Some wonderful sections of prose, but a lot of yawns as well. A few days in the life of Moses Herzog as he tumbles through a midlife crisis.
kingabee's review against another edition
3.0
To all the people that watched my brave struggle with this book; I dedicate this review to you.
I have really mixed feelings about this one. Was it an absolute struggle to read? Did I fall asleep after a page or two many times? Was I wishing I was reading something else, something were things actually happened, like, I don't know say [b:The Dark Desires Of the Druids III: Desert and Destiny|6611315|The Dark Desires Of the Druids III Desert and Destiny|Isabel Roman|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UALRD9uIL._SL75_.jpg|6625076]? The answer to all these questions is yes.
Now, was I reading it with a pencil in my hand underlining sentences so I can put them as facebook updates later on? Did I think the opening line: "If I am out of my mind, it's all right with me, thought Moses Herzog" was the best opening line I've read in a while? Did I think it was exceptionally well written? Did I admire Bellow for going on for over 300 pages about absolutely nothing and still have people go gaga over it? Yes, yes, yes...
Did I think that Bellow used the book as an excuse to show off his elloquence and eruditism? (Like some other authors, cough, Cortazar, cough). Yes. So you see, I am getting schizoprenia.
I am glad I have finished reading it. I think it's solely responsible for the fact I was sleeping for 10 hours a day for 3 weeks. God, I need to read something stupid now.
I have really mixed feelings about this one. Was it an absolute struggle to read? Did I fall asleep after a page or two many times? Was I wishing I was reading something else, something were things actually happened, like, I don't know say [b:The Dark Desires Of the Druids III: Desert and Destiny|6611315|The Dark Desires Of the Druids III Desert and Destiny|Isabel Roman|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UALRD9uIL._SL75_.jpg|6625076]? The answer to all these questions is yes.
Now, was I reading it with a pencil in my hand underlining sentences so I can put them as facebook updates later on? Did I think the opening line: "If I am out of my mind, it's all right with me, thought Moses Herzog" was the best opening line I've read in a while? Did I think it was exceptionally well written? Did I admire Bellow for going on for over 300 pages about absolutely nothing and still have people go gaga over it? Yes, yes, yes...
Did I think that Bellow used the book as an excuse to show off his elloquence and eruditism? (Like some other authors, cough, Cortazar, cough). Yes. So you see, I am getting schizoprenia.
I am glad I have finished reading it. I think it's solely responsible for the fact I was sleeping for 10 hours a day for 3 weeks. God, I need to read something stupid now.