This was the second time I read this particular book because it was the book of the month at my beloved Pequod Bookstore and I had to refresh my memory.

Encountering Roth's writing is always a unique experience. Every word, sentence, and paragraph constantly reminds you that you are dealing with one of the most (almost monolithic) imposing voices that have ever passed through American literature.

Of course, there is the juicy backstory that the book was Roth's revenge on his ex-wife Claire Bloom and her daughter from a previous marriage. And the truth is that there are many similarities between the author's life and the hero of the book, Ira Ringold (a quick internet search is enlightening). But even if we accept this version, fortunately, such sordid motives can lead to great literature.

Ira (which means wrath in Latin) Ringold (which refers to the famous opera, unless I'm overthinking it) has something Wagnerian and megalomaniacal. He has an unquenchable wrath and a need to rebel and always rise above the circumstances, his heritage, the capitalist system. He is a Nietzschean character with the ability and the delusion that he can bear the weight of the whole world and be legally crushed by it.

We get to know him through the memories of Nathan Zuckerman, Roth's meta-fictional alter ego in nine of his books, and the long-winded account of Ringold's brother. Naturally, the author distances himself from the impulse and contradictions of the central hero and can stand more critically against him. He can present a more comprehensive representation of the McCarthy era and the collective paranoia that prevailed then. He can talk about the need to smash your idols if you want to mature, show that (every) person is always something more than the sum of his contradictions, especially in his public image, and conclude masterfully and redemptively with the indifference of the universe towards all the small and big things that define each era.

The project to read the entire body of Roth's work continues. I hope I can succeed.

Roth tells the life story of Ira Ringold, an actor and communist trade union activist, as narrated to Nathan Zuckerman, the writer's usual alter ego, by Ira's brother, Professor Murray Ringold. The events of Ira's life are set within the social context of the 1950s in the United States, one of the hottest periods in the country's history.

Besides the always precise and in-depth description of the American events of that era, in this book I have found what I believe is the recurring theme in all of his writings, the message that Roth sends to the reader and that reaches me every time I read him.

The teaching that Roth offers us is that human nature is imperfect, it is dirty.

"Because purity is petrification. Because purity is a lie."

Ira Ringold, before being a communist, is a man, a man who desires a wife, a son, a family, a bourgeois life. Ira Ringold is a failed revolutionary and his failure is due to the fact that he does not have a pure heart, "a heart without dichotomies, ready to renounce everything and everyone except the revolution".

His brother, Professor Murray Ringold, has spent his life teaching himself and his brother to be reasonable in the face of the unreasonable, and he too fails.

Why does this happen?

Because - says Roth - "only error exists. That is the heart of the world. No one finds their life. This is life."

Maybe looking back, I will view this one more favorably:

From the description of Nixon's funeral all the way to the end, Roth delves into an energy, a tension, an uncertainty that all that preceded it failed to capture. Suddenly, Murray and Zuckerman's relationship becomes genuine; suddenly, the story takes on a life of its own, a significance that is then subverted into beautifully depicted insignificance; suddenly, Roth expands the double-narrative into a triple-narrative, capitalizing on the fact that this novel is one character telling a story about another. Throughout the remainder, I was certain that there was too much retrospection here, certain that all the important conflict had occurred decades ago, leaving the story feeling like a couple of guys reminiscing about an old friend, which can be nice and all, but what are the stakes of that? Roth answers my question with the last chapter and the last few pages of the second-to-last chapter, but I maintain that he could have done more with the Zuckerman/Murray dynamic.

So, that's the American trilogy, isn't it? I'm more convinced by Roth than when I read Portnoy's Complaint, but I can't help but feel that the Human Stain's haunted Vietnam vet Lester was by far the most compelling character in the trilogy, despite his ultimately being a side character. Many people rose to the top and then fell back down to the bottom over the course of these three novels, and yet I wonder what it would have done for them if he had focused on a few more people who hadn't reached the top or the bottom, who grappled with identity in the same way as Swede, Ira, and Coleman, but because the identity was thrust upon them. Just a thought.

The misogyny in this book is appalling, easily surpassing that in Portnoy's Complaint, but I can't say that I'm surprised.

Nella mia classifica Rothiana, un gradino sotto "Il teatro di Sabbath" e "Pastorale Americana", c'è un'opera che nonostante non sia stata menzionata in questo brano, occupa comunque un posto importante. Di Roth mi rimane davvero poco da leggere, e quando avrò finito sarà un triste giorno.

Murray è sopravvissuto all'insoddisfazione. Questo è ciò che resta dopo che tutto è passato, la disciplinata tristezza dello stoicismo. Questa è la fase di raffreddamento. Per tanto tempo tutto è così caldo, e ogni cosa nella vita è così intensa; poi, poco a poco, il caldo se ne va, comincia il raffreddamento; e alla fine rimangono le ceneri.

Tutti sono insoddisfatti, ma generalmente le persone non si lasciano andare. Soprattutto le persone che hanno già fatto questa esperienza, come è capitato a te e a tuo fratello. Uno che passa quello che avete passato voi due dovrebbe apprezzare moltissimo la stabilità. Probabilmente sopravvalutarla. La cosa più difficile del mondo è tagliare il nodo della tua vita e partire. La gente si rassegna a diecimila adattamenti, fino al più patologico dei comportamenti. Perché, emotivamente, un uomo come lui deve sentirsi così legato a una donna come lei? La solita ragione: le loro tare quadrano.

L'abitudine si forma quando si è traditi. La causa è il tradimento. Pensa alle tragedie. Cosa provoca la melanconia, la follia, lo spargimento di sangue? Otello: tradito. Amleto: tradito. Lear: tradito. Si potrebbe addirittura sostenere che anche Macbeth viene tradito (da se stesso), anche se non è la stessa cosa. I professionisti che hanno speso tutte le loro energie insegnando ad apprezzare i capolavori, quei pochi di noi che si lasciano ancora affascinare dall'esame minuzioso che la letteratura compie delle cose, sono perfettamente giustificati quando dicono di trovare il tradimento nel cuore della storia. Di tutta la storia, da cima a fondo. La storia del mondo, la storia familiare, la storia personale. E un tema molto grosso, il tradimento. Pensa solo alla Bibbia. Di che cosa parla questo libro? La situazione più comune, nella Bibbia, è il tradimento.

Mantieni la tua purezza nello stesso tempo in cui tradisci patriotticamente, nello stesso tempo in cui realizzi una soddisfazione che, con le sue ambigue componenti di piacere e debolezza, aggressività e vergogna, rasenta il sessuale: la soddisfazione di screditare. Screditare innamorati. Screditare rivali. Screditare amici. Il tradimento è in questa stessa area: l'area di un piacere perverso, illecito e frammentato. Un tipo di piacere interessante, manipolatore e clandestino che ha molte attrattive per un essere umano. Questo aspetto del tradimento viene esplorato in maniera profonda da Roth, permettendoci di intravedere le complessità umane e le dinamiche delle relazioni.

La sua capacità di analizzare le emozioni e le motivazioni degli individui è impressionante, e ci permette di riflettere sulle nostre stesse vite e sulle scelte che facciamo. Forse, attraverso la lettura delle sue opere, possiamo scoprire qualcosa di noi stessi e capire meglio perché il tradimento è un tema così centrale nella nostra esperienza umana.

The second book of Roth's trilogy on America. I liked it even more than the first one (even though my judgment is surely distorted by my interest in the McCarthy era).

By presenting us with the characters and their intimate motivations, Roth offers an unsurpassable fresco of the period, of the "witch hunt" atmosphere, of the collective paranoia that struck an entire nation. As always, what I love about this author is the ability to dissect the complexity of the human soul: overwhelming passions, pitiless inhumanity, compromises and hypocrisies.

Great book! Great Roth!

This work not only vividly描绘s the historical background but also delves deep into the psychological states of the characters. It makes the readers feel as if they were right there in that era, experiencing the turmoil and confusion. The detailed descriptions and the masterful storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone interested in American history or just great literature.

Roth's talent shines through in every page, and this second installment of the trilogy is no exception. It leaves the readers eagerly anticipating the next one, eager to see how the story will unfold and what new insights into the human condition Roth will reveal.

I think the second book of my trilogy was just as good as the first. Roth continues to deconstruct the American dream. I'm really impressed by how well-developed the characters are as they struggle to figure out what went wrong and confront their weaknesses.

I was slow to discover Roth, but the more I read him, the more impressed I am by how good a psychologist he is and by the flow of his writing. Is it possible to describe page after page on the most unrelated topics (in the first one, he described entire pages on the construction of gloves and here on how they cure the animal) and not be boring at all?

Certainly, I will then look for "The Human Stain" to complete the trilogy.

Overall, Roth's work is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human condition and the American experience. His characters are complex and relatable, and his writing is engaging and thought-provoking. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the third book.

Capolavoro assoluto! This is a truly remarkable work, a complex book that offers multiple perspectives. It delves into the realms of reality and illusion, constantly questioning what truly is, what we believe ourselves to be, and what others see in us. The author skillfully weaves together these themes, creating a thought-provoking and engaging narrative. Each page seems to open up a new world of ideas, challenging the reader to reevaluate their own perceptions. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page, making you question the very nature of existence. Whether you are a lover of literature or simply someone looking for a deep and meaningful read, this capolavoro assoluto is not to be missed.

Some people have made the claim that Philip Roth is not being very chivalrous when it comes to his ex-wife. If this is indeed true, it does not reflect well on him.

However, the book has its merits. One particular scene stands out. The daughter of a best-selling author, known for her steamy romance novels, reads aloud a passage from her mother's latest blockbuster. This novel is loosely based on the story of Abelard and Heloise.

As the daughter describes Abelard's proud manhood, she makes frantic attempts not to giggle. This scene is, in a way, a definitive statement about an entire genre of literature. It manages to capture the essence of that genre in a concise and perhaps even a bit vicious way. It's a scene that has never been done quite as effectively before.

Overall, while the controversy surrounding Roth's treatment of his ex-wife may be a point of discussion, the book still offers some interesting and thought-provoking moments.

A truly significant and audacious book that delves into the concealed war of McCarthy during the 1950s. It is truly devastating, and shockingly, it remains all too relevant in today's society. I will refrain from delving into the story details to avoid spoilers. However, I must say the following:

1/ Philip Roth is an extraordinary writer, and this book serves as a flawless and exquisite sequel of sorts to American Pastoral. His ability to craft a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking is truly remarkable.

2/ Nathan Zuckerman is an outstanding narrator, and his personal connection with Ira and Murray Ringold adds a wonderful layer to the narrative. His perspective provides a unique insight into the events and characters in the story.

3/ The theme of anti-Semitism, especially as exemplified by self-hating Jews like the Eve Frame character, is unfortunately still relevant today. It serves as a reminder of the persistent presence of prejudice and bigotry in our world.

4/ The hate-mongering of self-serving individuals like Katrina and Brydon Grant is just as revolting and nauseating as that of Trump and his ilk. Sadly, the methods of motivating the masses through scapegoating and rabble-rousing have not changed.

Despite not typically being ranked among the top 5 Roth books, I firmly believe that this one is underrated and deserves a prominent place in the Roth "must-read" canon. It offers a powerful and timely exploration of important themes that are still relevant today. Definitely give it a read between American Pastoral and The Human Stain!

RIP (1933-2018). One of America's literary giants has left us, but his work will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.

“As an artist, the nuance is your task. It is not about simplification. Even if you decide to write in the simplest style, like Hemingway, the challenge still lies in imparting the nuance, elucidating the complication, and implying the contradiction. It's not about erasing or denying the contradiction but rather seeing where, within it, the tormented human being exists. Allowing for the chaos and letting it in is essential. You must do so. Otherwise, you end up creating propaganda. If not for a political party or movement, then it's stupid propaganda for life itself - for life as it might prefer to be presented.”

― Philip Roth, I Married a Communist

One of my all-time favorite Roth novels. I am truly enamored with how the book is structured and narrated. The way it flows seamlessly and the manner in which it concludes are both remarkable. I have always adored Roth's prose, but his riffs on politics and art are simply amazing. I love the details that are so easily missed unless you are really looking. For instance, how Roth infuses Murray with the habits of a man who dedicated his life to teaching precise language and critical thinking. And how he salts Ira with the size, looks, and frailty of Abraham Lincoln along with Marfan syndrome.

Sometimes, when I read a book or view a painting, I hear music. At other times, when I listen to music, I envision colors dancing. For me, Roth novels are like some of Beethoven's more complex movements. Roth's every word, just like Beethoven's every note, is in the exact right place. There is nothing more and nothing less. Roth's story builds and builds and builds until he releases his narrative into a dissonant and violent double fugue of story within a story - and then comes the night, the quiet, and the stars.

I am writing in a rush. I have finished reading this book for 10 minutes.

It is extraordinary. Roth is more and more astonishing every time, really outstanding.

From this book emerges the profound imperfection of man and humanity.

Highly recommended. This book has truly opened my eyes to the complex and flawed nature of human beings. It makes me think deeply about our actions, motives, and the consequences they bring. Roth's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, drawing the reader in from the very beginning. The characters are vividly portrayed, and their stories are both relatable and eye-opening. I can't wait to explore more of Roth's works and continue to be inspired by his insights into the human condition.

I liked it even more than American Pastoral.

For me, this novel is a masterpiece from the first page to the last.

Surely it is among the favorites not only of this year but of my life.

This book has truly captured my heart and imagination. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to know what will happen next. The characters are so vividly drawn that you feel as if you know them personally.

The author's writing style is both beautiful and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. Every sentence is carefully crafted to convey the emotions and thoughts of the characters.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good story. It is a book that you will not soon forget.