The Actual: a novella is Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow's sophisticated, witty remembrance of Harry Trellman's youthful first love, Amy Wustrin, or as he recounts his "love object" when he was a smitten boy of twelve. As part of the same Chicago social set from the early days of middle school to four decades later, Harry still has a warm spot for Amy in his heart despite their own individual failed marriages and life journeys. Bellow examines young love from the perspective of a mature, experienced male, yet successfully captures Harry's youthful feelings of longing, desire and his innocent, spontaneous awkward gestures of sexual awakenings towards his first girlfriend. A precocious reader will joyfully gain insight into the egotism of youth, and observe the self-assurance that many young males, who may not be classically handsome, pursue their desire of affection through brain power and tenacity. Bellow employs a self depreciating style of writing here reminiscent of a Woody Allen movie: humorous but ironically tragic as well. I would include this romantic novella as part of my library collection for those bright or gifted students who are seeking a higher literary style of writing. ( )

The Actual is minor-Bellow, a story about reconnection between old lovers and the memories of the aging elite in 1990s Chicago. Still, though, Bellow's minor works are better than most books. ( )

A novella from Bellow's later years, somewhat trite, but an enjoyable short read. ( )