Intellectually dazzling, yet lacking in the soulful qualities I admire in Roth’s later work.

Roth’s encounter with a pretend Roth in Israel is perfect metafiction. It is a clever and imaginative concept that keeps the reader engaged. The addition of lots of spies, would-be spies, and counter-spies adds an element of excitement and intrigue.

However, despite these interesting elements, the book felt somewhat labored and didactic. It seemed as if Roth was trying too hard to make a point or convey a message, rather than simply telling a story.

Overall, while there were parts of the book that I enjoyed, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I was hoping for a more emotional and engaging read, but instead, I felt a bit detached from the characters and the story.

Perhaps this was Roth’s intention, to create a more intellectual and thought-provoking work. But for me, it just didn’t have the same impact as his later novels.

When I was twenty-one, I made a significant decision. I left my home in the north and moved in with a Scottish woman, who was a friend of the mother of my then-girlfriend. I had landed a job in Leamington Spa and needed a place to stay.

The morning after moving in, I woke up and, still in my underwear, headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and so on. But as I was about to leave, the door handle came off in my hand. I was stuck. The house was empty, and I was in there for two hours, even contemplating jumping out. Finally, I managed to convince, with great difficulty, a passing child to fetch his mother.

During my first week at university, I had a rather wild experience. I drank a pint of tequila and nearly died. I woke up at midday the following day, covered in bruises and lying on a vomit-covered bed in a room I didn't recognize.

Once, after breaking up with a girlfriend, I agreed to travel to London to see her. She showed up, but then had a funny turn on the tube and ran off. I tried to follow her but couldn't keep up. I never saw her again. I called a friend, and we decided to go for a drink. However, I got so drunk that I passed out on the train home, which happened to be the last train of the day. I missed my stop and ended up in the middle of nowhere. Pissed and lost, I had to hitchhike home.

Another time, I managed to convince a girl that I was in a very famous band. My act was so convincing that when I next bumped into her, weeks later, she told me she had actually bought tickets to see the band, expecting me to be on stage. Of course, I wasn't.

These short anecdotes are just the tip of the iceberg. Life is indeed messier than fiction. If I were to write a story, I might dismiss these real events as unbelievable, stupid, full of silly coincidences, and unrealistic choices. But then there's Philip Roth's "Operation Shylock."

This novel purports to be a true story and actually features genuine, verifiable events. Yet, it all feels categorically, almost gallingly, unreal. The basic plot is that Philip Roth, the writer, discovers there's another Philip Roth, an impostor, in Jerusalem espousing controversial views on his behalf. Roth travels to Jerusalem and gets embroiled in a crazy game of cat and mouse and espionage, involving all sorts of strange characters and situations.

There's also the trial of John Demjanjuk, which figures prominently in the text. Demjanjuk was arrested on suspicion of being Ivan the Terrible, a brutal Nazi guard. He's being defended by a Jew whose own mother was a Holocaust survivor, and this lawyer was actually attacked by a Holocaust survivor. It all sounds like nonsense, but it's true.

The most pertinent question is how Roth manages to turn this material into a coherent novel. The answer is that he doesn't really. "Operation Shylock" is a bit of a mess, but it's an engrossing one. Roth explores the tension between truth and fiction, our tenuous grasp on reality, and who we are.

Regarding Roth and his double, one could argue that Pipik, the impostor, doesn't exist. Roth describes a mental breakdown he had after taking a drug, and it's not hard to see Pipik as a result of this breakdown. The whole novel is full of doubles and contradictions.

Throughout the book, there's a strange tension between high seriousness and farce. Roth deals with important issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Diasporism, and the Holocaust, while also having a ridiculous double-agent caper running through it. Maybe all this sounds like trash to you, but I enjoyed it.

I think there's some great writing in the book, although it's very focused on Jewish issues and history, which some might find off-putting. The biggest problem for me was the Roth-as-character thing. I don't like authors appearing in their own work. I find it egotistical. But despite my misgivings, I didn't give up on the book, and it does have a certain power. "Operation Shylock" is a strange, hysterical, and thought-provoking novel, not Roth's best but certainly one of his most entertaining.

Philip Roth is a colossus of contemporary literature, truly in a league of his own.

His work "Operation Shylock" is an unclassifiable wonder that lies somewhere in between everything - the essay, the autobiography, and the fictional novel.

It is filled with details that are rich in meaning.

It shows to what extent he is capable of twisting reality, both his personal reality and the Jewish conflict.

In short, if you really want to understand the depth and complexity of Roth's work, you must delve into "Operation Shylock".

It is a literary masterpiece that challenges our perceptions and forces us to think about the nature of truth and fiction.

Roth's writing is both powerful and thought-provoking, and "Operation Shylock" is no exception.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in literature, history, or the human condition.

Highly inventive, Operation Shylock is a profound and long exploration of identity and legitimacy. It weaves a rather complex web of characters, making it difficult for the reader to be certain who is real and who isn't. I truly enjoyed the process of reading this book. However, it did leave me with a sense of incompleteness. Although the Epilogue attempts to provide some explanations, there are still lingering questions. As a result, I will likely have to revisit the book in the future to further explore its depths. To be honest, I found American Pastoral and The Human Stain to be more entertaining books. Since Goodreads doesn't offer half stars, I am awarding this one 4 stars.

RIP (1933 - 2018). One of America's literary giants has left us. Philip Roth's works have had a significant impact on the literary world, and his departure is a great loss. His unique writing style and deep insights into human nature will be remembered and cherished by readers for generations to come.

For all of his negative qualities as an individual, Roth is such a wonderful stylist and master of prose that he’s becoming one of my favorite novelists.

His writing is truly captivating, with a unique style that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from beginning to end.

The meta-narrative layering in his works is intoxicating in the best way, adding depth and complexity to the stories.

It’s as if he is constantly playing with the boundaries of fiction and reality, making the reading experience both intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying.

Thankfully, there’s a lot more left for me to dive into.

I can’t wait to explore more of his novels and discover the hidden gems within.

Each one is like a new adventure, waiting to be embarked upon.

Roth’s talent as a writer is truly remarkable, and I feel privileged to be able to experience his works.

I’m sure that as I continue to read, he will only solidify his place as one of my all-time favorite novelists.

Divertido, inventivo e extremamente informativo, this work constantly challenges the reader's expectations. Sometimes it does so in a frustrating way, but it always remains unpredictable and still leaves room for some hilarity.
Those who are already converted to Philip Roth will surely love this piece. The prose is brilliant, the daydreams and narrative detours are surprising and unexpected, and it is extremely fun. However, I do not recommend it to those who have never read the author before, as it may frustrate the reader who is not already somewhat accustomed to the "narrative anarchy" present in some of Roth's works (such as "Portnoy's Complaint", "Sabbath's Theater", "The Breast", or this "Operation Shylock"). But for fans of the author, it will surely be extremely enjoyable.

It is quite revealing of American political culture that “Operation Shylock” stands as Roth’s most controversial work. The sexual transgressions that were once a topic of major reviews now seem to fade into the background. Even the veiled necrophilia in “Sabbath’s Theater” passes without much rebuke. Meanwhile, anti-NY intellectual jeremiads have long ago found their way to the legacy admission neo-conservatives. However, a satire that delves into American Jews’ relationship with Israel can still have a significant impact, as seen when it brought the gears of the New York Review of Books grinding to a halt.

Roth’s books are often better understood as a thematic set rather than one focused on characters. “Operation Shylock” neatly fits into a “Diaspora writers” series that includes the Israeli incidents in “Portnoy’s Complaint,” “The Counterlife,” and many of the interviews in “Shop Talk.” The satire in “Shylock” is effective precisely because Roth manages to capture the fundamental crescendos and rhythms of the unwilling spy story. There is no hint of winking or nodding in this book. Instead, we have Special Agent Roth, the doppelganger hunter, leading us through a complex and thought-provoking narrative.

I had made it approximately halfway through this book when, unfortunately, I lost the bag in which I had left it.

To make matters worse, that bag also contained a notebook of mine, filled with a plethora of half-finished stories and rather half-baked ideas. I'm truly extremely worried that someone else might come across them and put those unfinished and perhaps not-so-polished works out into the world.

Moreover, the very next day, I made a rather curious discovery. There is an author in Michigan named Steve Gillis. I've been seriously thinking about writing him a letter. I want to find out if his name is pronounced Gilleeez, just the way mine is pronounced Gillis.

Additionally, I also want to issue a warning to him. There might potentially be some half-baked stories making their way out into the world under the guise of someone imposterizing Steev Gillies. This could further confuse people and might have an impact on his reputation.

Also, the library copy of this book that I had was rather peculiarly bound. The cover was on upside down. So, whenever I was reading it on the train, I'd look like I was faking it or doing something strange.

All of these rather odd and somewhat comical incidents seem almost too appropriate for this book. I'm really not sure if I've actually learned anything profound from this book or if I'll ever manage to finish it. But, in a strange way, I kind of feel like I've lived through the experiences and oddities that are perhaps inherent in the nature of this book.

Baby's Second Roth was originally read near the end of my sophomore year of high school, specifically in April 2004. It was during the San Angelo Central High School Orchestra/Band spring trip to Corpus Christi, Texas.

This is truly some real High Roth. It is surely one of the loudest and most voluminous examples of termite art. Moreover, it is almost certainly the Most Jewish Book I Have Ever Read. It manages to find room for dissections of various aspects. There are discussions about the state of Israel, the PLO, Zionism, and anti-Zionism. It delves into the experiences of Holocaust survivors, the views of Holocaust deniers, and the actions of Holocaust perpetrators. It also mentions Jonathan Pollard and Woody Allen. Additionally, it touches on the death of Klinghoffer (but not the work titled The Death of Klinghoffer). There is an exploration of Upper West Side delicatessen culture, and even a rather pernicious penile implant is brought up.

Overall, Baby's Second Roth offers a rich and diverse exploration of numerous topics, making it a truly unique and engaging read.

3.5 overall.

This book is a rather exhausting read and is not recommended as an introduction to Roth's work. However, you get extra points if you manage to get through it. I agree with one reviewer at this site who said that the novel's last chapter is the best part of the book. It has a clarity and force that are only occasionally evident in the earlier sections.

Personally, the biggest difficulty I faced was around the 2/3-point when I was starting to wish the book would just end. I'm not sure what kept me going, but again, that last chapter was a significant salvation.

Actually, I do know what kept me going. Coincidentally, I started reading this just before the recent outbreak of war in the Middle East. Keep in mind that 'OS' was published in 1993, 30 years ago! It's incredibly horrible that, in that regard, the book remains relevant.

I'm nowhere near an expert on Israeli-Palestinian matters, but I believe I understand the basic history of the conflict. I'm sure many of us have thought that the situation may continue to have downtimes but will never actually end, even though it could with negotiation.

Since a large part of this 'confession' also deals with the trial of John Demjanjuk, or 'Ivan the Terrible', accused of countless heinous crimes at Sobibor after escaping to the US and assuming a new identity, I found myself more interested in the book for its historical merit. There is a lot in it that is worth regarding Jewish history, culture, identity, and the various factions (both within and surrounding) that can seem to defy understanding, especially when the result is unanticipated duplicitous action and behavior (referred to as the politically fueled activity of "subselves... constructed of subselves").

As a work drenched in paranoia (to say the least), it's dense and at times hard to follow. But then, as the narrator of 'his own story' (much of which, in the main, he stated is true but disguised), Roth seemed to be as consistently in the dark as his readers.

In the last chapter, Roth is told by a major character who has read the manuscript of what we are also reading:

This is not a report of what happened, because, very simply, you haven't the slightest idea of what happened. You grasp almost nothing of the objective reality. Its meaning evades you completely. I cannot imagine a more innocent version of what was going on and what it signified. I won't go so far as to say that this is the reality as a ten-year-old might understand it. I prefer to think of it as subjectivism at its most extreme...

This character (Smilesburger) is quite often wise and eloquent in expressing his observations. He also strikes with scalpel precision in his final warning to Roth.

A major takeaway from this read is that I feel it's often overwritten. Those who love lengthy, complex sentence-prose may not sigh each time they get halfway through a wildly overstuffed sentence. This is one of those times when Roth seems to prefer being a writer's writer rather than a reader's writer. I sighed almost each time a point seemed to be made, only to read it being bludgeoned home.

And, again, that 2/3-mark is the start of overkill, dealing with sidebars that don't seem to hinge on what gives the work its power.

I was surprised to learn that, to some, this book comes off largely as comedy. Hmm... It's mildly amusing briefly in passing, but otherwise, I'm not even sure 'black comedy' applies at any given moment.

Although I applaud the experimental quality that Roth has allowed through here, I prefer when he's more straightforward in his storytelling, as he is with 'The Plot Against America' and 'Nemesis'. But I suppose those two quagmire tales pale compared to this 'fiction' territory.

Everything You Know About Philip Roth Is False - So He Says....

It must be recognized that Roth remains at high literary levels after decades of work. Here we are in the realm of meta-literature, where a doppelganger throws the protagonist (perhaps the author himself) into a nightmare in Israel amid the Dejmanjuk trial, the second Intifada, the plots of the Mossad (or the Palestinians? or the collaborating Jews of the PLO?). Here he soars high. Roth bares himself, laying out before us his psychiatric crisis and perhaps suggesting that literature has been his medicine, the place where all paranoias, all illusions and all plots are both false and true in the same way, where the author simultaneously becomes the persecuting subject and the persecuted object of his own creations........ Add to this that he confronts the issue of Israel with a completely open face and you have an idea of the density of this book....

Roth's work is a complex exploration of identity, history, and the power of the imagination. His ability to blend fact and fiction, to create characters that are both deeply human and larger than life, is truly remarkable. In this particular work, he delves into the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, challenging our assumptions and forcing us to look at the situation from multiple perspectives. It is a book that demands to be read and reread, a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

A powerful and extremely insightful book that delves deep into the complex topic of Jewish identity. This is especially relevant in the current context, where tensions between Israel and Palestine are running high. Roth presents a thought-provoking and critical narrative about the state of affairs concerning Jews both in the United States and in other parts of the world. He offers valuable context on the arduous struggles that Jews face when attempting to identify with a homeland. It is truly a remarkable and engaging read that offers a fresh perspective on this important subject.