Enjoyed reading this review. I read and wrote about Goodbye, Columbus (and Silver Jews) last year— I liked the title story, but my favorite story in the collection was Eli the Fanatic.
Overall I think I’m less enthusiastic about Roth than you are, but I agree 1000% with you on the way he evokes the passions of youth. Totally intoxicating to read.
I have read several Roth novels for the first time over the last few months and I am utterly astonished that he put out such quality over such a long time. A full half century separates Goodbye, Columbus from Nemesis.
Very nice review! Super interesting observation about Julie's role being the unfiltered judgement of the whole Patimkin family.
Hey Anthony, I read Goodbye Columbus, American Pastoral (discussed in my second post), I Married a Communist and The Plot Aginst America, American Pastoral was definitely the best. I have Operation Shylock and Nemesis on my bookshelf as well, but needed to take a Roth breather.
Late to the party, but thank you for sharing. I've definitely had Roth on my list of authors I've been meaning to dive into, but I believe this assessment of Goodbye, Columbus will finally push me to add his works to my collection.
Your breakdown of GC's structure and character development captures the essence of Roth's masterful debut. Makes me want to reread GC again, although--for obvious reasons--The Plot Against America is atop my list of "next novel I'm reading when I'm done reading my current novel."
If you're interested, I've got a Substack post of my encounter with Roth, a fanboy's moment of complete joy and utter embarrassment.
Enjoyed reading this review. I read and wrote about Goodbye, Columbus (and Silver Jews) last year— I liked the title story, but my favorite story in the collection was Eli the Fanatic.
Please check out my review, if you’re interested! https://lillianreviewofbooks.substack.com/p/gracefully-swimming-with-the-country
Thank you for sharing this, super excited to read
Overall I think I’m less enthusiastic about Roth than you are, but I agree 1000% with you on the way he evokes the passions of youth. Totally intoxicating to read.
I have read several Roth novels for the first time over the last few months and I am utterly astonished that he put out such quality over such a long time. A full half century separates Goodbye, Columbus from Nemesis.
Very nice review! Super interesting observation about Julie's role being the unfiltered judgement of the whole Patimkin family.
Thank you sir.
And, yeah, it's hard to write one of these books, but to write so well time and time and time again--it's just hard to fathom.
He's like the Chili Peppers.
Btw - which novels have you read by him? What prompted the interest?
Hey Anthony, I read Goodbye Columbus, American Pastoral (discussed in my second post), I Married a Communist and The Plot Aginst America, American Pastoral was definitely the best. I have Operation Shylock and Nemesis on my bookshelf as well, but needed to take a Roth breather.
I was just looking for great authors from the last half century and noted that Harold Bloom put him in the same category as Pynchon and Faulkner: https://mindfulpleasures.blogspot.com/2018/07/harold-bloom-on-death-of-philip-roth.html?m=1
High praise indeed.
Hi Dale - thanks for sharing your work, I look forward to reading.
Super important book. One of the most ground breaking debuts ever and he had a career that lived up to it.
Late to the party, but thank you for sharing. I've definitely had Roth on my list of authors I've been meaning to dive into, but I believe this assessment of Goodbye, Columbus will finally push me to add his works to my collection.
Helen - thanks for reading, and I'm so happy that this may lead you to his work. I think you will love it.
Such a beautiful novella.
Your breakdown of GC's structure and character development captures the essence of Roth's masterful debut. Makes me want to reread GC again, although--for obvious reasons--The Plot Against America is atop my list of "next novel I'm reading when I'm done reading my current novel."
If you're interested, I've got a Substack post of my encounter with Roth, a fanboy's moment of complete joy and utter embarrassment.
https://open.substack.com/pub/arniebernstein/p/my-life-as-a-fan-of-philip-roth?r=rtdju&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Awesome, can’t wait to read
Really liked this but wasn't sure about the removal of lace? lice?
Thanks
Thank you for reading