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musicsaves's review against another edition
3.0
FIRST LINE REVIEW: "First, foremost, the puppyish, protected upbringing above his father's show store in Camden." Always interesting to go back to the first line after finishing a book. In this case, the book ends where it began, with the narrator (author?) reflecting back on his childhood where he has come to believe that all his troubles began (or where his salvation lay). This was a twisted, messed up book with truly unlikeable characters throughout. While I loved the writing, I wanted to yell at the characters. Ultimately, unsatisfying...but strong enough to keep me turning to the next Roth book.
wolfdan9's review against another edition
4.5
Like most Roth novels, there is an effective metafiction approach to the narrative. In this case, Roth writes a thinly veiled autobiographical story about writer Peter Tarnopol, which is preceded by two stories “written by Pete Tarnopol” and influenced by his life. The redundancy of having a multi-layered and highly referential narrative is key to Roth’s writing. The blurring of fiction and reality gives credibility to Roth’s attempt to attribute universality to the main theme of the story — the struggle to achieve happiness/success in a relationship.
What is a man? Tarnopol’s father (and Tarnopol himself) suggest that Tarnopol is a fiercely independent person, which he is in many ways, but ironically Roth feels compelled (though this is portrayed ostensibly as an obligation) to serve. He is embattled by his feelings of genuine hatred toward his (genuinely) psychotic wife and his inability to rid himself of her. He has a moral system (although he ultimately disobeys it) with many caveats and exceptions that seems to perfectly fit his behavior rather than align with a more universal standard. For example, he permits adultery on his part because the affairs were so minor and during a period where his wife was antagonizing him.
Dr. Spielvogel, his therapist, is portrayed as a rational counterweight to Tarnopol’s reasoning based in anger, violence, and passionate impulsivity. He’s useless, not because his advice is preposterous, but because Tarnopol uses him solely as a sounding board for his own unrealistic expectations and plans. Rarely does he let Spielvogel temper them with his sound rationality.
Tarnopol views himself as a victim, ultimately, whose incredibly poor decisions make him impossible to sympathize with. He is highly self-aware nonetheless, which increases his frustration toward the seemingly unbudging nature of his problems. Roth seems to ultimately land on the idea that, while Tarnopol’s marriage may be an extreme example, he — and by extension all men (?)— are destined to a relationship of suffering with the opposite sex.
What is a man? Tarnopol’s father (and Tarnopol himself) suggest that Tarnopol is a fiercely independent person, which he is in many ways, but ironically Roth feels compelled (though this is portrayed ostensibly as an obligation) to serve. He is embattled by his feelings of genuine hatred toward his (genuinely) psychotic wife and his inability to rid himself of her. He has a moral system (although he ultimately disobeys it) with many caveats and exceptions that seems to perfectly fit his behavior rather than align with a more universal standard. For example, he permits adultery on his part because the affairs were so minor and during a period where his wife was antagonizing him.
Dr. Spielvogel, his therapist, is portrayed as a rational counterweight to Tarnopol’s reasoning based in anger, violence, and passionate impulsivity. He’s useless, not because his advice is preposterous, but because Tarnopol uses him solely as a sounding board for his own unrealistic expectations and plans. Rarely does he let Spielvogel temper them with his sound rationality.
Tarnopol views himself as a victim, ultimately, whose incredibly poor decisions make him impossible to sympathize with. He is highly self-aware nonetheless, which increases his frustration toward the seemingly unbudging nature of his problems. Roth seems to ultimately land on the idea that, while Tarnopol’s marriage may be an extreme example, he — and by extension all men (?)— are destined to a relationship of suffering with the opposite sex.
ajkessel's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ratingwithears's review against another edition
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
cemoses's review
2.0
The first two stories were good if you like Philip Roth. The main novel was boring and I found the fiction in the fiction confusing.
amahid's review against another edition
3.0
The transgressive Roth emerging into the introspective, imaginative Zuckerman years.
simond's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jimmypat's review against another edition
2.0
This is the third book in a series I am calling “quarantine life.” With all of our public libraries closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I have turned to my bookshelves and the books that I haven’t read yet.
On the surface, this book is a hard one to rate: it approaches 4 stars with the absolutely incredible writing. However, it slums in the one star arena due to the sheer unpleasantness of the main character who also is a representation of the author, which further tarnishes this work. So, 2 stars it is.
Roth is about two things: himself and his penis. Everything else pales in comparison to Roth and his needs. While I think he thinks he is writing in a candid, honest, and truthful way, Roth is just limited to the physical and banal. There is no transcendence here, no true art..... Roth just rolls in his filth and wonders why he is so unhappy.
On the surface, this book is a hard one to rate: it approaches 4 stars with the absolutely incredible writing. However, it slums in the one star arena due to the sheer unpleasantness of the main character who also is a representation of the author, which further tarnishes this work. So, 2 stars it is.
Roth is about two things: himself and his penis. Everything else pales in comparison to Roth and his needs. While I think he thinks he is writing in a candid, honest, and truthful way, Roth is just limited to the physical and banal. There is no transcendence here, no true art..... Roth just rolls in his filth and wonders why he is so unhappy.
jackb's review against another edition
4.0
A little different in terms of structure, two short stories, which are meant to have been written by the character in the second part of the book. Not his most loved but some of Roth's best work, full of humor and wit, very well written.