Humboldt's Gift is Saul Bellow's brilliant, fictionalized account of his relationship with poet Delmore Schwartz ("Von Humboldt Fleisher" in the story). Schwartz achieved literary celebrity at a tender age but was ruined by alcoholism and bipolar disorder. The novel describes the increasingly difficult relationship between Bellow ("Charlie Citrine") and the tragic Scwhartz, until the latter's premature death, while living in obscurity. | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of book? - thoughtful Time/era of story - 1930's-1950's Life of a profession: Internal struggle/realization? Yes Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Job/Profession/Status story Yes Brain/Body disability? - mental illness Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Genius Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 6 () United States Yes Writing Style Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |