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Have any of you read any of Philip Roth's novels? If so, what was your opinion of him? If you've read several of his books, which would you recommend?

I just finished reading my first Roth novel, The Human Stain. Although I enjoyed the novel overall, I was somewhat disappointed after hearing so many great things about his work. I thought that two of the characters were fascinating and really drew me in: Coleman Silk and Nathan Zuckerman. The supporting characters, however, were mostly one-dimensional and boring. I'm thinking especially of Lester, the stereotypical Vietnam veteran, but also of Delphine Roux and, to some extent, Faunia. The book seemed to have too many pointless diversions and rants that broke up the flow of the story. And some of the heavy-handed symbolism seemed ridiculous to me, especially with name choice and allusions to Greek and Roman mythology.

I'm interested in trying one more Roth novel before I write him off as an author not to my liking. Any suggestions?

I've only read American Pastoral and I liked it but it might not be the one you want to read if you are only going to read one more. If I read another of his it will probably be Portnoy's Complaint or Goodbye Columbus.

I've read The Plot Against America and found it to be a very compelling alternate history, with Lindbergh as president during WWII. I've got several other Roth novels in my To Be Read list.

Ribaldo wrote:I've only read American Pastoral and I liked it but it might not be the one you want to read if you are only going to read one more. If I read another of his it will probably be Portnoy's Complaint or Goodbye Columbus.

Roth's style changed quite a bit over the years. Portnoy's is insane! If you turn to that after reading one of his more recent titles, you're in for a shock. That said, Goodbye, Columbus is a great collection of shorter pieces. "Defender of the Faith" has long been one of my favorite short stories.

Matthew wrote:

Ribaldo wrote:I've only read American Pastoral and I liked it but it might not be the one you want to read if you are only going to read one more. If I read another of his it will probably be Portnoy's Complaint or Goodbye Columbus.

Roth's style changed quite a bit over the years. Portnoy's is insane! If you turn to that after reading one of his more recent titles, you're in for a shock. That said, Goodbye, Columbus is a great collection of shorter pieces. "Defender of the Faith" has long been one of my favorite short stories.

I've actually taught "Defender of the Faith" to AP Lit students before, but I had forgotten that it was written by Roth (it was in the anthology I was using). I think that I'll give Portnoy's Complaint a try because it's been mentioned a couple of times.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

I enjoyed Everyman

SpecialAgentCooper wrote:I enjoyed Everyman

Yea I liked Everyman too also I Married A Communist is brilliant & The Humbling is good. But he has written some fairly dodgy stuff too

Read Everyman and Indignation.


Hated them both.

n May I watched a TV documentary on Philip Roth and was inspired to go and spend the whole of my office leaving present book tokens on six of his books. I then settled in for a mammoth read. And....

Big fat disappointment! I could not get into any of them and I tried really, I did, very hard and many times. I know he has won prizes, is highly esteemed but they were not for me.

I am now giving them to a friend for his birthday and hope he can enjoy them.

For me Mr. Philip Roth has been, still is and always will be in a class by himself.............I found the " Human Stain " flawless...