Me and My (Tor)mentor: Saul Bellow: a Memoir of My Literary Love Affair

Unlike my academic writings and talks on all 19 of Bellow's oeuvre, my memoir deals with The Bellow Years which formed a big chunk of my life - the over a dozen meetings with my mentor, the impact of his life's work on me and the many interesting, erudite, inspiring scholars I met as a result of my interest in the public and private Saul Bellow. To name a few: Liela Goldman, James Atlas, Allan Bloom. I feel all those who know me will come to know the real me after reading my warts and all tribute to the writer who made such a big difference in my life. I regard Bellow as my soulmate and, like so many, "the optimistic chronicler of our times," for his strong faith in individuals and for his credo in being "for all the good things, against the bad." Although he recently died, his teachings will remain with me as long as I live. I hope my tribute will serve as a vehicle to pass on to my family and readers what penetrated my soul and will equally rub off on them. Have a good read.