Just found your channel. I am a huge Philip Roth fan. “American Pastoral” is a masterpiece. Have you read “The Human Stain” ? It is my second favorite novel of Roth’s. I was looking forward to Blake Bailey’s biography and was sorely disappointed( not to mention the controversy and allegations that came to light about Bailey). I was surprised that Roth chose him as his official biographer. It sounds like a plot of one of his novels: famed author chooses biographer believing he will establish his legacy and both biographer’s and subject’s reputations are tarnished in the literary world.
I haven't read "The Human Stain." So far I've read "American Pastoral" and "Everyman." I haven't read the biography either. I want to read more of Roth's work before I read that.
Just finished American Pastoral. I've enjoyed it and I'm really glad I read it. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, though. But it's a hell of a book, and the kind of book one loves to talk and argue about. There's a lot in it to chew. My favourite moment, which none of the reviewers I've read or watched so far have mentioned, is the interview, towards the end, between Lou Levov and his son's then girlfriend Dawn. A wonderfully comic and revealing moment, perfectly placed in the book, shortly before the final shock. Nice work, RTRT!
@@quepasaraul Thanks for the comment! So many great moments in American Pastoral. I love the arguing between the generations about morals. The final dinner scene is incredible.
@@readtherightthing That's right! I wonder if Roth had Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway in mind, a novel that takes place in the span of one day (and, if I am not mistaken, from the morning the Swede visits Merry in that room to the final scene it's all in the same day) and builds up to a dinner party... Although in Woolf's case it all goes on predictably enough, like an ordinary, more or less boring dinner party among toffs. The parallel occured to me because Mrs Dalloway was the book I read immediately before American Pastoral. A striking coincidence?? Great work with your channel!
@@quepasaraul Thank you for your comment. I thought the book was an amazing achievement by Mr. Roth. Of his works, I was most affected by this novel and “The Human Stain.” What novel would you define as a masterpiece?
Good job on the Roth presentation. I'm from the general area of Newark, so Roth has always meant a lot to me. I think AP is a reworking of the Book of Job, with American success standing in for the God that Job will never deny. For other Roth titles, try The Plot Against America, Goodbye, Columbus and the Zuckerman trilogy.
Thank You! I taught English at a school in Newark in 2017. I'm sure you recognize a lot of the locations Roth writes about. You still living in Jersey? Didn't make the connection with the Book of Job but I totally see it now.
WTH 112 subs? Your content is pure gold 🪙❤️
I have been looking for a good booktuber for days. Glad I found you 🎈
Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you like the reviews!
Just found your channel. I am a huge Philip Roth fan. “American Pastoral” is a masterpiece. Have you read “The Human Stain” ? It is my second favorite novel of Roth’s. I was looking forward to Blake Bailey’s biography and was sorely disappointed( not to mention the controversy and allegations that came to light about Bailey). I was surprised that Roth chose him as his official biographer. It sounds like a plot of one of his novels: famed author chooses biographer believing he will establish his legacy and both biographer’s and subject’s reputations are tarnished in the literary world.
I haven't read "The Human Stain." So far I've read "American Pastoral" and "Everyman." I haven't read the biography either. I want to read more of Roth's work before I read that.
Just finished American Pastoral. I've enjoyed it and I'm really glad I read it. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, though. But it's a hell of a book, and the kind of book one loves to talk and argue about. There's a lot in it to chew. My favourite moment, which none of the reviewers I've read or watched so far have mentioned, is the interview, towards the end, between Lou Levov and his son's then girlfriend Dawn. A wonderfully comic and revealing moment, perfectly placed in the book, shortly before the final shock. Nice work, RTRT!
@@quepasaraul Thanks for the comment! So many great moments in American Pastoral. I love the arguing between the generations about morals. The final dinner scene is incredible.
@@readtherightthing That's right! I wonder if Roth had Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway in mind, a novel that takes place in the span of one day (and, if I am not mistaken, from the morning the Swede visits Merry in that room to the final scene it's all in the same day) and builds up to a dinner party... Although in Woolf's case it all goes on predictably enough, like an ordinary, more or less boring dinner party among toffs.
The parallel occured to me because Mrs Dalloway was the book I read immediately before American Pastoral. A striking coincidence??
Great work with your channel!
@@quepasaraul Thank you for your comment. I thought the book was an amazing achievement by Mr. Roth. Of his works, I was most affected by this novel and “The Human Stain.” What novel would you define as a masterpiece?
Really enjoyed your review, thanks for doing it. I just finished the book too and agree it's amazing.
Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed the book.
Good job on the Roth presentation. I'm from the general area of Newark, so Roth has always meant a lot to me.
I think AP is a reworking of the Book of Job, with American success standing in for the God that Job will never deny. For other Roth titles, try The Plot Against America, Goodbye, Columbus and the Zuckerman trilogy.
Thank You! I taught English at a school in Newark in 2017. I'm sure you recognize a lot of the locations Roth writes about. You still living in Jersey?
Didn't make the connection with the Book of Job but I totally see it now.
Not any more, unfortunately. I miss home even though it was crowded, often smelled bad, etc. It was the river that spawned me.
@@donaldkelly3983 As Springsteen said most people have a love/hate relationship with their hometowns! I love Jersey... the good far outweighs the bad