Small Planets: Saul Bellow and the Art of Short Fiction

Saul Bellow's short stories have been read both individually and as companion pieces to his masterworks. Though his universe has come to be known by its larger planets—The Adventures of Augie March, Henderson the Rain King, Herzog, Humboldt's Gift, Mr. Sammler's Planet—there are a surprisingly sizable number of smaller Bellovian planets that adorn our literary universe. Their appearance, though not always fully recognized, is significant. Bellow's stories also reflect that his recurring theme…