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Seize the day

Wilhelm is lonely, jobless and separated from his wife. And he does not know how to solve any of these problems. He tries to get sympathy from his father Dr. Adler. But Adler is sad but irritated by his son and does not want to accept another burden in his eighties. For him both his children Wilhelm and Catherine who at forties still has an ambition of becoming an artist, are great disappointments.

Wilhelm left college and home with a dream of making it big in Broadway, knowing too well he might be committing biggest mistake. After failing to make a career there, he becomes a salesman, get married and has children. Now comes another woman who being a catholic wants to marry him. Wilhelm tries to get divorce from wife Margaret who will not give it. He has difference in the office and leaves the job. But his wife still expects him to pay for the maintenance of her and her children. What little money he has, he gives it to friend Tamkin again knowing that this man is not to be trusted.

Good but depressing story by Nobel laureate Saul Bellow. 

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