Philip Roth wrote such highly-praised novels as Goodbye Columbus, Portney's Complaint, and The Human Stain. I liked the 1969 movie of Goodbye with Ali McGraw and Richard Benjamin - remember when they were movie stars? And I also liked the 2003 movie of Human Stain with Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins. So I thought I would like a Philip Roth novel, having never read one.
I started with Deception; maybe that was a mistake? I think I should like him, I think I should be up there reading real literature as well as autobiographies (like Ali McGraw's Moving Pictures, which even she now describes as "not well written"). But this stunk. Dry and boring.
The slim book is composed of snatches of conversations between a married American named Philip, living in London, and an Englishwoman, trapped in a loveless marriage. Their lives are revealed as they talk before and after making love. Author Fay Weldon called it "extraordinary, elegant, disturbing", but also added, "He is very brave; this literary navel-gazing is a risky occupation...what conceit to think we're interested."
Philip Roth is known for intensely autobiographical novels and his provocative explorations of Jewish and American identity. His list of awards including National Book Award, PEN/Faulkner award, and the Pulitzer Prize is too lengthy to list here.
The style looked ingenious, and I thought I could get through it. The conversations are intelligent but not so interesting. They deal with sex, politics, relationships and Jews. Since I've read it's autobiographical, I respect what he's writing, but don't really want to read his highly personalized descriptions of a strongly sexualized Jewish male. I must have a problem with people who identify first with race or religion, and being a man or woman next. You're getting together with your mistress and talking about Jewish identity? No thanks.
This review is of no consequence to people who like Philip Roth, doesn't matter in the least I'm sure. It's a short book, and looked interesting. After a few chapters, I was skipping ahead - speed reading, then I thought, the only reason I'm trying to finish is to say I've read a Roth book. Not worth it.
A French film was made of this in 2021.
1997 / Paperback / 208 pages
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