BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

The Actual
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Actual Paperback - 1998

by Saul Bellow

Add to wish list

Reader reviews for The Actual

Write a review for this book

There are no reviews for this book yet. Be the first to write a review!

Your review will be anonymous unless you login or create an account first.

Overall rating
Remember: You’re rating the book as a work, not the seller or the condition of the specific copy you purchased!

Important Terms and Guidelines

  • Please focus on the book’s content and context. Also, add any personal comments as to how you enjoyed the book. Substantiate your likes and dislikes. You may make comparisons to other books.
  • Reviews must be at least 140 characters in length.
  • Please do not reveal critical plot elements.
  • This is not a help line. Contact customer support if you need help.
Your review must not include:
  • Obscenities, discriminatory language, or other insulting language not suitable for public domain
  • Advertisements, “spam” content, or references to other products, offers or websites.
  • Email addresses, URLs, phone numbers, physical addresses or other contact information.
  • Overly critical comments about other reviews or reviewers
  • Time-sensitive material (i.e. promotional tours, seminars, lectures, etc.)
  • Availability, price, or alternative ordering/shipping information

From the publisher

"Another gem to savor from America's greatest living novelist. Love was never more tenderly celebrated than it is in The Actual, the ultimate springtime story". -- San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

In this wise and dazzling work of fiction, Nobel laureate Saul Bellow writes comically and tragically about the tenacity of first love. The story behind The Actual belongs to Harry Trellman, an aging, astute businessman who has never belonged anywhere: not in the Chicago orphanage where he was sent by his mother, not in high school (too brainy), not even on the streets, where his vaguely Asian features set him apart from the rest of the pack. As for human attachments, they are like everything else in his life, singular and irregular. But Harry has always been a keen observer -- a trait not unnoticed by billionaire Sigmund Adletsky, who retains Harry as his adviser on human affairs. The two men discuss ordinary things, but the older man is also sharp enough to realize that, behind his stoic mask, Harry harbors some intense feelings for a certain woman. That woman -- the object of some forty years' passion -- is Amy Wustrin, a twice-divorced interior designer who's walked through her share of life's ups and downs. Thanks to Sigmund, she walks unexpectedly into Harry's life. And this time he's not about to let her go.

First line

It's easy enough to see what people think they're doing.

Details

  • Title The Actual
  • Author Saul Bellow
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Trade paperback
  • Pages 103
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Publication date May 1, 1998
  • ISBN 9780140274998 / 0140274995
  • Weight 0.18 lbs (0.08 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.77 x 5.1 x 0.31 in (19.74 x 12.95 x 0.79 cm)
  • Age range 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Category Literature - Classics / Criticism
  • Library of Congress subjects Love stories, Man-woman relationships
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 96051173
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC
Back to top↑

More Copies for Sale

The Actual : A Novella
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Actual : A Novella

by Bellow, Saul

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
1
Seller
More Than Words Inc.
Item price
A$1.43
A$4.30 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Good. . . Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$1.43
A$4.30 Delivery to USA
The Actual : A Novella
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Actual : A Novella

by Bellow, Saul

  • Used
  • Very good
  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
First Edition
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
1
Seller
BooksRun
Item price
A$7.13
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Books. First Edition. Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$7.13
Free Delivery to USA
The Actual

The Actual

by Saul Bellow

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
3
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$10.23
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1998. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$10.23
Free Delivery to USA
The Actual : A Novella
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Actual : A Novella

by Bellow, Saul

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
1
Seller
Wonder Book
Item price
A$11.76
A$5.72 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$11.76
A$5.72 Delivery to USA
The Actual
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Actual

by Bellow, Saul

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$12.42
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$12.42
Free Delivery to USA
The Actual : A Novella
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Actual : A Novella

by SAUL BELLOW

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
1
Seller
A Cappella Books
Item price
A$15.76
A$8.59 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Penguin (Non-Classics), May 1998. Trade Paperback . Good. Small remainder mark.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$15.76
A$8.59 Delivery to USA
The Actual A Novella
More photos

The Actual A Novella

by Saul Bellow

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Edition
First Edition with full number line
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
1
Seller
GotBooksOrg
Item price
A$32.99
A$8.61 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Great shape for a paperback that is now 23 years old, looks unused...a 7 out of 10 scale. SHIPS FREE via Media Mail.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$32.99
A$8.61 Delivery to USA
The Actual : A Novella
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Actual : A Novella

by Bellow, Saul

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140274998 / 0140274995
Quantity available
1
Seller
Bonita
Item price
A$42.29
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$42.29
Free Delivery to USA
Show all copies
Back to top↑

Please wait a moment while we load the requested page.