description Mr. Sammler's Planet Overview
Mr. Sammler's Planet is a 1970 novel by Saul Bellow that follows Artur Sammler, an elderly Holocaust survivor and occasional lecturer in 1960s New York City. Through Sammler's observations of social disorder, violence and moral uncertainty, the book examines the relationship between inherited ideas of civilization and contemporary American life. The novel received the 1971 National Book Award for Fiction and is suited to readers of philosophical and Jewish-American fiction.
help Mr. Sammler's Planet FAQ
Who is Mr. Sammler in Saul Bellow's novel?
Mr. Sammler is Artur Sammler, a Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor living in New York. His experiences shape the novel's questions about violence, guilt, civilization, and moral responsibility.
What is the plot of Mr. Sammler's Planet?
The 1970 novel follows Artur Sammler through unsettling encounters in late-1960s New York, including encounters with a pickpocket and an exhibitionist. His observations are also tied to family members such as his daughter Shula.
Why is Mr. Sammler's Planet considered philosophical fiction?
The story uses Sammler's encounters to examine how modern society handles freedom, disorder, sexuality, and moral limits. Saul Bellow makes the protagonist's reflections as important as the external events.
How is Mr. Sammler's Planet different from Bellow's Herzog?
Both novels were written by Saul Bellow, but Herzog appeared in 1964 and centers on Moses Herzog, while Mr. Sammler's Planet was published in 1970 and centers on Holocaust survivor Artur Sammler. The later novel is more explicitly concerned with historical trauma and civilizational breakdown.
explore Explore More
Similar to Mr. Sammler's Planet
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
