The Dean’s December : a Novel

Set between wintry Chicago and communist Romania, this novel follows Albert Corde, a college dean and former journalist, as he reflects on recent events that have unsettled his faith in institutions and in the moral direction of society. While accompanying his Romanian-born wife on a visit to her homeland, Corde contemplates political repression abroad and social breakdown at home, probing questions of justice, responsibility, and intellectual integrity. Written by Nobel Prize–winning author Saul Bellow, the book combines sharp social observation with philosophical inquiry, offering a thoughtful exploration of conscience, culture, and the burdens of public life. It will appeal to readers who value intellectually rich fiction grounded in the moral dilemmas of the modern world.