It All Adds Up

Saul Bellow's journey as a writer began in his childhood in Chicago, where he was immersed in literature from diverse influences such as the Old Testament, Shakespeare, and Russian authors. Despite his mother's aspirations for him to pursue a more traditional career, Bellow was inspired by "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to follow his passion for writing. His academic background in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, along with his early work at the Encyclopaedia Britannica, shaped his literary voice.