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Fiction

Paladin

(31,419 posts) Wed May 23, 2018, 11:28 AM May 2018

What's your favorite Philip Roth novel?

That's a tough decision for me; I think I'd go with "Sabbath's Theater," followed closely by "Portnoy's Complaint."

RIP to one of our great fiction stylists.

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

What's your favorite Philip Roth novel? (Original Post) Paladin May 2018 OP

"Portnoy's Complaint," hands down Glorfindel May 2018 #1

Good Bye Columbus & The Professor of Desire Botany May 2018 #2

I can't think of a single 'bad' or disappointing book by Roth dweller May 2018 #3

I can't pick a favorite I love them all! redstatebluegirl May 2018 #4

Our Gang. It was hysterical. Laffy Kat May 2018 #5

I haven't read very many of his novels, PoindexterOglethorpe May 2018 #6

Glorfindel

(10,156 posts)

1. "Portnoy's Complaint," hands down

Reply to Paladin (Original post)

Wed May 23, 2018, 11:37 AM

May 2018

He was a very great writer and brought happiness to millions and millions of readers.

Botany

(75,095 posts)

2. Good Bye Columbus & The Professor of Desire

Reply to Paladin (Original post)

Wed May 23, 2018, 11:44 AM

May 2018

One of the best American writers ever.

dweller

(26,993 posts)

3. I can't think of a single 'bad' or disappointing book by Roth

Reply to Paladin (Original post)

Wed May 23, 2018, 11:46 AM

May 2018

but American Pastoral, his Pulitzer Prize winner, was very deserving of the award, upon finishing it I remember it resonated with me for a long time.

I learned recently his Human Stain made it to film, yet to see it, and I wish many other of his works would be too ... esp. Operation Shylock

RIP Philip Roth
✌🏼️

redstatebluegirl

(12,720 posts)

4. I can't pick a favorite I love them all!

Reply to Paladin (Original post)

Wed May 23, 2018, 11:51 AM

May 2018

Laffy Kat

(16,758 posts)

5. Our Gang. It was hysterical.

Reply to Paladin (Original post)

Wed May 23, 2018, 01:24 PM

May 2018

And also it got under Nixon's skin so badly.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(28,039 posts)

6. I haven't read very many of his novels,

Reply to Paladin (Original post)

Thu May 24, 2018, 12:44 PM

May 2018

but When She Was Good is exceptional. I first read it when it came out in 1967, and a few years ago reread it. It stood the test of time for me.

The Plot Against America is very weak, has a completely bogus ending, and shows what happens when a writer ventures into a genre he knows nothing about, in this case alternate history.

I know I ought to read more of Roth's work.

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