919 Seize the Day, by Saul Bellow (read 17 Sep 1967) I have never found a Bellow book I enjoyed, and this volume is no exception. ( )

Liked the subjects (despair, freedom, money, family, truth) and the story was OK, but it didn't grip me. Wouldn't recommend to anyone. Perhaps it was more moving when it first came out in 1956. ( )

Awful... Couldn't even finish it and it is only a hundred or so pages... ( )

I really enjoyed the first half of this novella, but the second, dominated by the annoying Dr. Tamkin, was harder to like. Tamkin is not only profoundly distasteful himself, but he manages to make the already pathetic protagonist Wilhelm even more unappealing. Still, Bellow is able to create a kind of relentless downward spiral that is admirable in its effect. ( )

Here's what I learned from this book: do not trust shysters named Tamkin. Also, it sucks to be a former movie-wanna-be whose looks have faded. ( )

A day in the life of a man who is a failure as a son, husband and employee and more than a bit unpleasant and self centred . Well written, short and managed to keep me reading.
Not bad considering ( )

Wow. Little books (127 pages in my edition from the 50s) can certainly pack some punch and this is one of the hardest hitting. It’s not an uplifting read by any means but, having read it, I’m surprised it was removed from the 2008 revised edition of the 1001 list.

It centres around a man named Wilhelm and a day in his life. I use the word “centres” purposefully. It’s more of...

More of what?! Head over to Arukiyomi and read the rest of the review... ( )

I read this book several months, and I revisit it in my thoughts weekly. The character's of this book are not likable. Consequently, that may be why I found the book so compelling, and thought provoking. It's a man of failure, and I believe everyone may find one like trait in the protagonist that shakes them to their core. ( )

Honestly, this was a rather plain book, but I liked its plain-ness. Unlike Dangling Man, which I found boring and unimportant, this short novel was actually very moving to read. Not that I think most people would like this book. It was just sort of special to me, and I felt I could really relate to Wilhelm, the main character. ( )

One of my favorite books. It's brilliantly written. First time I read it I was 16 and its impact was so huge that when I closed the book, my mouth was open to speak but no words came out. It's a profound book about a day in the life of a man--the day that he faces himself and his problems. Short read, huge impact. ( )

I know this is a classic of modern literature, but it's never really grabbed me. I should probably re-read it at some point. ( )