Bellow

[MalignD at aol.com]

<< Bellow's late period remains a mystery to me. The contrast between the
 life-affirming sparkle and verve of his masterpiece novels such as
 Herzog or Humboldt's Gift, and the snide, curmudgeonly old reactionary
 he later became, couldn't be greater.  >>

Bullshit.  The story collection, Him With His Foot In His Mouth is really 
good; as is More Die of Heartbreak, and Ravelstein is a small, misunderstood gem. 
 There's nothing snide, curmudgeonly, or reactionary in any of it.  Also the 
novellas, The Bellarosa Connection, A Theft ...  I doubt you've read any of 
these.