[.ca] Penguin Classics Seize The Day (ISBN 0142437611)

The Birth Day:
"Seize The Day" is about the day Tommy Wilhelm hit his financial and emotional bottom and emerges from a lifetime of confusion and failure to find his true self, his spiritual self. Bellow's novel of psycological introspection and intrege compelled this reader to examine his own life a little closer. Maybe you will be fascinated by doing the same.

for bellow, this is the place to start:
I generally agree with what the other reviewers say about this book, though I'm not sure they appreciate the level of sympathy, and even love, Bellow has for his flawed creation (and Bellow's warmth is one of many things I love about him). I would add that this book is the best introduction to Bellow's work. Like Herzog and The Adventures of Augie March it is unarguably a classic of twentieth century literature; unlike them it's short and relatively straightforward, and once you see what the man can accomplish in a mere 115 pages you'll definitely be primed for more.

an agony to read about a loser losing:
This is Bellow's paean to failure, the slow slide of a good-hearted though dumb and self-destructive man. He is heading to his doom, and is a sucker the whole way. Reading this is hard, much like the inexorable decline of people in a Balzac novel, but it is a peculiarly American brand of failure with the post-war culture and Hollywood dreams in tow. It is a masterpiece. Recommended, but keep the valium handy.

Throw Him a Lifeline, He's Drowning!:
Poor Tommy Wihelm! This is a sad spectacle of a novella. Sad, in that you can't help but feel for this poor guy. Tommy Wilhelm has squandered his life. He chased his dreams to Hollywood.... and failed. He got into business... and failed. He got married and had to boys... and failed. He tried to become a commodities trader... and failed. I can't help but think of Biff Loman, when I read this one. Tommy Wilhelm's life is a story of bad choices and missed opportunities. We all have experienced moments like this, but Wilhelm's whole life is based on this premise. As the story comes to a conclusion. Tommy Wilhelm's life begins to crash down bit by bit until it looks totally hopeless. And really, it is totally hopeless. Tommy's plunge into a torrent of tears is a fitting end to this sad, sad story. Bellow's writing is lean and direct. This book is a great case- study of futile, life planning. It is well written and worth your attention.

If you want to be depressed and angry, read this book!:
I was forced to read this book in English 201 (Sophomore College Class) and HATED it! I had to write a paper too, I got an A but only because I told the TRUTH of this book! The main character who calls himself Tommy Wilhelm is immature, unthinking and incredibly selfish. He's addicted to pain-killer medication, never washes his hands and is balding, fat and separated from his wife. We find out at the beginning of the book that Tommy is living in an old-folks retirement home in New York City even though he is only in his 40's. Tommy just lost his job at a children's furniture factory. His wife and son live in New York but he won't live with them. Tommy is down to his last few hundred dollars and has foolishly invested them in the stock market on the advice of Dr. Tamkin, a lying, cheating, vulture-like oldster with unclean personal habits. In the course of the book, we find that Tommy's real name is actually Wilhelm Adler but he changed his name because he wanted to start a Hollywood career. Tommy makes all the wrong decisions before he finds the right one, and he follows many stupid whims and the advice of anyone who knows how to flatter him, he never stops to consider common sense. He also believes wild stories from Dr. Tamkin, who probably isn't a doctor at all judging from his actions. Tommy's juvenile tendencies are reinforced in many ways. First, his name: Tommy is a name for little boys, upon reaching maturity men are called Tom or Thomas, not the diminuative Tommy. Second: His father still calls him Wilky, a hated nickname from childhood. This is his father's way of letting Tommy know that he still acts like a child. Third: Tommy expects his father to pay his rent for him, even though he is 40-some years old! Fourth: The fact that he lives in the same building as his father even though he despises the old man, it's as if he can't break his ties from Daddy. There are many water symbols in this book, allusions to baptism and rebirth, symbols of what Tommy needs to do for himself. Also allusions to death and corpses, which are a symbol of what Tommy is falling in to. Throughout, we see Tommy slowly spiral downwards in pills, depression, doubt and stupidity until he hits rock-bottom. We learn about his life prior to this point and the affair he had with a Catholic girl in another town. My professor was a very good instructor, but he must have really had a synical side to him in order to enjoy this book so much! To let you know, my paper was actually a LOT better than this review but I hated this book so much that I just don't have the energy to actually use my talents on this book one more time! This is just my plea to you, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!!! Not unless you are a hopeless manic/depressive with no hope to your life!