The renowned novelist Philip Roth makes a trip to Israel during the Demjanjuk trial. His purpose is to conduct an interview with the Israeli novelist Aharon Appelfeld for the New York Times Book Review. The result of this interview can be found in the Times archives. At first glance, it might seem like a nonfiction piece.

However, things are not as straightforward as they seem. There is another Philip Roth who is pretending to be the real novelist and is promoting "Diasporism", a movement that encourages Ashkenazi Jews to leave Israel and return to the European countries from which they or their ancestors originated. Adding to the complexity is the rise of the first Intifada and the real Roth's recruitment as an agent of Mossad to carry out a secret meeting in Athens with Yasir Arafat.

Clearly, this is not exactly nonfiction. As Roth has done in several of his previous books, he has great fun blurring the lines between fiction and nonfiction. The difference here is that the readers don't have quite as much enjoyment, especially in the rather dull epilogue. In it, "Roth" explains why the climactic, revelatory chapter 11 is missing, turning the whole book into a 360-odd-page shaggy dog story. This is all part of the sixth volume of the Library of America's collected Roth.

Having already read a great deal of Philip Roth, I have the feeling that this "Operation Shylock" is the book of his maturity, the one where his arc is completed. The style that made him famous is now out, and all the themes of his first novels are still present (the obsession with possession, with living everything at all costs), but already the themes of true greatness are emerging, such as the suffering of time passing, the end of sexual life, and many others.

The hilarious first-person account of the writer's adventures is a sacrilegious parody of the oppressive presence of the secret services during the Cold War, but it is above all a Pirandellian comedy of errors and doubles, a overwhelming and masterful confusion of personalities between the protagonist and his alter ego whom we will come to know by the name of Pipik.

But, just as happens with the brilliant comedies of the great genius of Agrigento, beneath the comicity there is humor, beneath the laughter there is that feeling of the opposite, that afro of suffering that always contrasts with what at first glance appears to be good in the world.

We will see this soon in "American Pastoral", but Philip Roth seems to have understood it from here. Even the most successful, richest, best-started person on the planet. Even this person will not be able to say that they are free, crushed as they will be by the people around them who try to bend their victories to their own advantage, their talent to their secondary ends. In a world of mirrors within mirrors, and mirrors within mirrors within mirrors, it is an absurd and unattainable privilege to build a safe and peaceful life on one's own strength, an unattainable nightmare the American dream. As someone once said, if we have the necessary talent, someone will use it for us; if we have a good idea, someone will already have had it (translated into productive terms: if you manage to do everything without breaking your back, then you can do more).

However, Philip Roth in "Operation Shylock" simply does not seem to be old enough to admit that the obvious solution is可行, that is, to step back when necessary. No American, no young American, has the necessary wisdom to know how to choose, to not live every single renunciation as a missed opportunity: the protagonist of the book will accept to get lost in the tornado of events and to become a pawn in a game bigger than him, because of the fierce mania of appropriating even the life of his alter-ego, the one that had been sewn onto him against his will. Why can't I have everything? Why can't I be God? It is the question that pervades all of Roth's youthful novels.

It is one of the few novels of the genius of Newark that is not markedly, incisively, suffocatingly American. Because here we talk about Israel and the diaspora. The years around the turn of the 1980s and 1990s were those of the Intifada, of Arafat, but also of the discovery of the可怕 crimes committed by the Zionists in the occupied territories. As an American Jew, Roth cannot help but take a position. And it is a torn position, perhaps justifiably exposed in a novel made of vaporized personalities like this one. For the Jews of the diaspora, the state of Israel will always represent an invitation but also a burden, a praise but also an insult. Every Jew who does not declare himself a Zionist and chooses to live in his own country will, against his will, always be forced to come to terms with Israel and with the choices of a nation of which he has chosen not to be a part. The greatest singer of Americanness will always be a half-American.

There is a lot of Italy in Philip Roth's novels, even if perhaps only an Italian can notice. We can see it from the contempt with which Italian immigrants are mentioned and treated in the peripheries of industrial cities (the fierce contempt possible only in the heart of someone who knows he shares their baseness); but also in the explicit recognition of the literary debts that have been contracted with Italian literature. This is a markedly Pirandellian book from the first page, but I did not expect Philip Roth to explicitly mention Luigi Pirandello. And then Rome, and then Primo Levi. Perhaps the great writer of Newark, in this great novel but not only, shows that he despises us only because he would like to stop loving us, and cannot.

As always, the quality of the writing is excellent, the themes of youth merge with those of old age, the state of Israel, Pirandello revisited. The reasons why "Operation Shylock" should appear even in the libraries of those who have chosen not to read all of Roth are certainly not few.

Philip Roth's works have always been a bit of a mixed bag, and unfortunately, this particular one falls into the category of a miss.

It tells the story of a writer named Philip Roth (cue the thought of Paul Auster...). He is being impersonated by another Philip Roth who has a political agenda that the real Roth finds extremely toxic. This agenda is to get Jews to leave Israel in large numbers.

The language and the concept of doubling are so convoluted and dense that by the end, it becomes nearly impossible to determine which side the book is actually on or why we should even care in the first place.

It seems as if Roth has become completely lost within the confines of his own literary museum, unable to break free and present a clear and engaging narrative.

Perhaps this is a sign that even great writers can have off days or that they can sometimes get too caught up in their own ideas and lose sight of what truly matters to the reader.

A novel that is probably even more complex than it seems to be: exuberant, intricate, and in some ways even brilliant. Here, it is not the novel by Roth that I would recommend to those who have never read anything of his, because they would end up hating it.

However, it is difficult not to love, or at least appreciate, "Operation Shylock", in which the author takes the coexistence between fiction and autobiography to its extreme consequences, and where it is possible to find most of the peculiar traits of his work, starting with irony (one laughs quite a bit here too) and the Jewish question, which is the true protagonist of the story here.

Not a masterpiece, at least in my opinion: I did not find the final part up to the level of the first; but overall, a great novel that those who love Philip Roth should not let slip away.

Title: A Critique of a Certain Work

This work has received a rather mixed evaluation. On one hand, it has been awarded +4 stars for its stance on anti-Zionism. This is a significant aspect as it takes a stand against what many consider to be unjust and discriminatory policies. By highlighting and opposing Zionism, the work shows a certain level of social consciousness and a willingness to address important issues.

However, on the other hand, it has been docked -1 star for utterly failing the Bechdel test. The Bechdel test is a simple measure that assesses the representation of women in a work. If a work fails this test, it indicates a lack of meaningful female characters and their interactions. This failure is concerning as it reflects a possible oversight or neglect in terms of gender equality and representation.

Overall, while the work has its merits in terms of its anti-Zionist stance, its failure to pass the Bechdel test is a significant drawback. It is important for works to strive for both social relevance and gender equality in order to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive perspective.

This is a truly strange and highly topical journey that delves deep into the Jewish (male) psyche, both in America and Israel. It does so through the concept of doppelgangers and takes side trips to explore Arabs and other gentiles as well. The characters in this narrative serve as mouthpieces for various perspectives, which makes it both fascinating and provocative. However, it ultimately pulls its punches

. One significant female character seems to exist merely to be sexualized by the narrator, which is a rather concerning aspect. Additionally, there is casual anti-Islam and anti-Arab racism present, although the author perhaps believes this is balanced by critiques of Jewish culture

. There are indeed ideas and insights within this work that are more incisive and interesting than what is currently being discussed on social media. But the question remains: should you read it? Maybe. Maybe. It might be a better option to read Naomi Klein's Doppelganger instead. However, it is still better than getting your ideas solely from TikTok or Twitter.

I read this book about a billion years ago. Seriously, it was over a decade ago. At that time, I was too young to really understand it. All I can remember is that it was extremely long.

Moreover, it was super confusing. I just couldn't make heads or tails of it. So, I decided to give it to my mom. The reason is that it deals with lots of aspects related to Jew-ness, and my mom loves such things.

However, I highly doubt she ever finished it. Why? Because, as I already mentioned, it was really freaking long. It seemed to go on and on forever. I'm not sure if anyone could have the patience to get through the entire thing.

Even though I don't remember much about the book itself, the experience of reading it and then passing it on to my mom has always stuck with me. It's a bit of a funny and strange memory.

This book truly reflects the Jewish experience in an outstanding way.

It is amazing how Roth decided to depict himself as deeply paranoid and fantastical. What's even more incredible is that the truth turns out to be as strange as fiction.

The book is both topical and intensely derisive. It delves into various aspects of the Jewish experience, exploring the complex emotions, beliefs, and traditions.

I don't want to say too much because I highly recommend you read this book yourself. Only by experiencing it firsthand can you fully appreciate the depth and beauty of Roth's work.

So, pick up this book and embark on a journey through the Jewish experience as seen through Roth's unique perspective. You won't be disappointed.

This tome is a truly daring and intellectually stimulating work that defies easy categorization as stress-free or laidback.

It combines elements of a spy thriller, a philosophical dissertation, and a metafictional experiment. While its complex subject matter and involved narrative may not appeal to everyone, it offers a deeply satisfying understanding for those readers who are willing to engage their minds with its long and convoluted layers.

Roth's genius lies in his ability to agitate and perturb, compelling readers to grapple with uncomfortable questions about truth, identity, and the stories we tell about ourselves. Whether seen as an admission, a fraud, or something in between, this book is无疑 an extraordinary addition to Roth's impressive body of work.

Roth masterfully weaves philosophical, political, and existential reflections throughout the novel. The concept of a double serves as a powerful metaphor for the fragmented nature of identity, both personal and collective. His exploration of Jewish history, Zionism, and the psychological wounds of the Holocaust is deeply disturbing, although it sometimes veers into polemical territory.

At its core, ‘Operation Shylock’ wrestles with the question of what it means to be Jewish in a post-Holocaust world, a theme that Roth revisits with his characteristic intensity and complexity. Stylistically, the book is a tour de force. Roth's prose is incisive, often darkly humorous, and unwaveringly self-aware. The narrative is infused with his trademark wit and satire, and the seamless blend of fact and fiction leaves the reader wondering where the boundary between the two lies. Roth himself playfully toys with this ambiguity, labeling the book as “a confession” yet providing no definitive resolution to its claims of authenticity.

In conclusion, Operation Shylock is not without its flaws. The narrative can seem uneven, abruptly shifting between Kafkaesque absurdity and dense historical explanation. At times, Roth's self-referential style risks alienating readers who are unfamiliar with his earlier work or his public persona. Additionally, the novel's reliance on a thin guise of truth—its claim to be a “confession”—may disappoint those seeking clear answers. However, it ultimately offers a charming and almost life-altering experience. By all means, give it a try.

An absurdly enjoyable and engrossing novel awaits the reader. It is truly one of my favorite Roth's works, if not the absolute favorite. This remarkable book delves deep into the complex theme of American Jewish vs. Israeli identity, presenting a perspective that is both thought-provoking and enlightening. It is not only an outstanding exploration of this identity crisis but also a phenomenal spy thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The element of bizarro autofiction adds an extra layer of intrigue and makes the story even more captivating. With its unique blend of genres and its masterful storytelling, this novel is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the nuances of identity, espionage, and the human psyche.

This book is not my favorite Roth novel.

However, it is still a miracle of a book.

It has something special that makes me think I need to re-read it one day.

Perhaps it is the unique plot, or the profound characters, or the beautiful language.

Whatever it is, it has left a deep impression on me.

I believe that when I re-read it, I will discover more of its charms and gain a deeper understanding of it.

Although it is not my favorite, it is still a book that is worth reading and re-reading.

It is a precious work that enriches my spiritual world.

I look forward to the day when I can pick it up again and immerse myself in its wonderful story.

This sprawling plot could only be pulled off by a writer as articulate, clever, and fluent as Roth.

Roth's ability to weave a complex and engaging story is truly remarkable. He has a way of drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

I found that the key is to not over-think anything. Just roll with it, whatever that "it" happens to be on the particular page you are reading. Sometimes, it's best to just go with the flow and let the story take you where it will.

I didn't love the book, but I appreciate Roth's talent. He is a master of his craft, and his writing is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Even if the story didn't completely resonate with me, I can still recognize the skill and artistry that went into creating it.

In conclusion, while this particular book may not have been my favorite, I would still recommend it to others who enjoy reading well-written and engaging literature. Roth's talent is undeniable, and his work is definitely worth checking out.