tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post7346297396057142523..comments2024-03-27T05:13:25.241-05:00Comments on The New Dork Review of Books: Philip Roth's Nemesis: What Hath God Wrought?Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-4364975018913894952011-02-04T15:16:44.469-06:002011-02-04T15:16:44.469-06:00Really interesting review. Nemesis is the first R...Really interesting review. Nemesis is the first Roth I've got to the end of, and I thought the themes of guilt and fear were really well explored, and the denouement was particularly poignant. There are few books around which give such a powerful insight into an individual's thought processes, and to do that so effectively in such a short novel is a real achievement. Definately a convert here!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueForestJewellery" title="Handmade jewelry semi precious stones, beads, silver" rel="nofollow">Blue Forest Jewellery</a>Blue Forest Jewelleryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00785707374791141297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-91995979102905339132010-12-28T13:39:12.198-06:002010-12-28T13:39:12.198-06:00I enjoyed Nemesis and it was a relief after his tw...I enjoyed Nemesis and it was a relief after his two previous books--Indignation and The Humbling, which I thought were every bit as annoying as the Zuckerman books. I did, however, think American Pastoral was a great book and I liked The Plot Against America a lot as well.Mike Wehmeyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18446432611585914375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-72533986269480592052010-12-26T10:47:50.195-06:002010-12-26T10:47:50.195-06:00great review! Nemesis was my 5th Roth, and while ...great review! Nemesis was my 5th Roth, and while I agree it was very good, nothing yet has surpassed American Pastoral, one of my all time favs. :o)Jenny GCPLreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18442607903852134838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-16023861758407259192010-12-14T09:49:28.557-06:002010-12-14T09:49:28.557-06:00Ok this was a great review. I've been wanting ...Ok this was a great review. I've been wanting to get into Roth for awhile but I have no idea where to start. Any suggestions to get me eased into his stuff? How about the 2 titles you mentioned at the end. I feel horrible that it's taken me so long to get around to him but I feel the time is near.The Great Catsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09436410858315526506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-9109292969536335092010-12-14T08:47:21.793-06:002010-12-14T08:47:21.793-06:00@Sam - The Plot Against America wasn't my favo...@Sam - The Plot Against America wasn't my favorite Roth either - but it's also not a real good representation of his work. The Human Stain, on the other hand, is vintage Roth. Try it!<br /><br />@Ben - I'm not sure I'd agree with that - Roth seems to carefully guide his privacy, rarely giving interviews and never doing signings or readings or lectures or anything much in the public eye. Anyway, I'm glad this encouraged you to read him - he's awesome. Try Sabbath's Theater. You'll know why...<br /><br />@Anonymous - Uh huh. Thanks for your thoughtful, well-supported comment.<br /><br />@Man - Dive in, pal! There's no shortage of options with Roth. ;)<br /><br />@Pen - Go for it! You'll be happy you did.<br /><br />@Sandy - You could spend a whole year reading Roth - he has nearly 40 titles, I think. That would be a good 2011 challenge! ;)<br /><br />@Patrick - I'm disappointed in you Patrick. Just kidding. But he definitely has a "Literate Man" bent to his writing. I'd start with Indignation or Nemesis - short introductions to Roth's style. From there, try The Human Stain or Operation: Shylock - sort of intermediate Roth. Then, move on to the best: American Pastoral and Portnoy's Complaint. <br /><br />@superheidi - Couldn't agree more - thanks for the one vote FOR Roth! ;)Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-83642317503746141212010-12-14T03:35:46.851-06:002010-12-14T03:35:46.851-06:00Well, lucky me. I did read some of Roth's nove...Well, lucky me. I did read some of Roth's novels. I think he's one of the best around.superheidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912074343442864029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-30994580685278542622010-12-13T16:55:36.352-06:002010-12-13T16:55:36.352-06:00Since we're all confessing, I'll admit tha...Since we're all confessing, I'll admit that I've never read Roth either. Where would you recommend we all start?Patrick (at The Literate Man)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05126952182728811711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-28099764153878616442010-12-13T16:32:32.014-06:002010-12-13T16:32:32.014-06:00I should probably be ashamed to admit that I haven...I should probably be ashamed to admit that I haven't read anything from Roth. I guess I intend to, someday, but that day hasn't arrived yet. Since I am turning my back on challenges next year, perhaps now is the time.<br /><br />And it seems like Bucky's nemesis is Bucky.Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-33506666788987292702010-12-13T16:02:29.894-06:002010-12-13T16:02:29.894-06:00I've never read Roth before, but his books sou...I've never read Roth before, but his books sound like something I might read. I'll be sure to scare up a copy at the library soon enough.Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02258514554021130617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-75199905756027349702010-12-13T15:49:52.585-06:002010-12-13T15:49:52.585-06:00Well written and thoughtful review Greg. I'm a...Well written and thoughtful review Greg. I'm ashamed to say I've enver read any of Roth's stuff - but I will.<br /><br />http://www.ManOfLaBook.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-72712108459726620072010-12-13T15:43:31.238-06:002010-12-13T15:43:31.238-06:00Nothing could ever make me want to read Roth again...Nothing could ever make me want to read Roth again. Ugh. I think I'm one of the few readers who can't stand him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-24590789243646094982010-12-13T15:35:12.454-06:002010-12-13T15:35:12.454-06:00Great review. I have read "The Human Stain&qu...Great review. I have read "The Human Stain" and rather liked it, but something about Roth's personality puts me off. He's a smart guy, but he seem to take a lot of pride in being a literary figure. More pride than in his own writing. My judgmental self again.<br /><br />What I meant to say is that your review made me want to read Roth again.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11483490020980574428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-51164838078007551922010-12-13T13:44:24.228-06:002010-12-13T13:44:24.228-06:00The only Philip Roth I've read is "The Pl...The only Philip Roth I've read is "The Plot Against America" and it just lacked something for me. I do want to read "The Human Stain" though.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.com