Humboldt's Gift

Synopsis

Humboldt's Gift is the story about Charlie Citrine who posthumously receives a gift from the poet Von Humboldt Fleischer that changes the way he views himself and the world. Long Synopsis: In Saul Bellow's Humboldt's Gift, the main protagonist, Charlie Citrine, a successful writer, is an intellectual who is tormented by feelings of emptiness and by disturbing recollections. In his youth, his love of literature causes him to befriend the poet Von Humboldt Fleischer. While he is alive, Fleischer becomes Citrine's mentor and teaches him the importance of the spiritual and sparks his interest in intellectual pursuits. Through Fleischer's death along with other experiences and associations, Citrine learns how to integrate his spirituality and intellectuality with the mundane. Throughout the novel, Citrine grapples with the question of how the human being with an infinite soul is going to live in the often anti-human and materialistic society and culture. Charlie is reawakened to his responsibilities. Equally important as asking this question, Citrine finds the courage to continue in his life which is plagued by paradoxes and uncertainties. In the end of the novel, he is awakened to his responsibilities and learns to become involved in everyday reality.

Pulitzer Prize Winner

Copyright:

1975

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

471 Pages

ISBN-13:

9780380006557

Publisher:

N/A

Date of Addition:

08/22/08

Copyrighted By:

Saul Bellow

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Literature and Fiction

Submitted By:

Barbara Baker

Proofread By:

Barbara Baker

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.