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Position:Home>Books & Authors> Has anyone else in the community heard of Philip Roth before?Question: Has anyone else in the community heard of Philip Roth before!? Hell, why lie!? I asked this last night and tonigh will be my final night of asking!. But has anyone else read from the novellist most---at least people that matter in literarcy criticism----consider to be our greatest novelist!?
I mean, anyone read Sabbath's Theater or American Pastoral or Portnoy's Complaint!?Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Hmmm!.!.!. I'm a little surprised at the response to this question, but I guess that's mildly ridiculous since most of Books and Authors is littered with only Twilight chatter!. No, I do not think you are trying to assert your authority by asking this question and I have absolutely no problem with you believing Philip Roth is "our greatest novelist"!. To be fair, this is probably because I agree with you!. I think he has some contention for the title with other, deceased authors, but among the living I am on the same page as you!. I guess I can see how some people might get all riled up about this question, but honestly, I'm just relieved to see someone like Roth mentioned here besides Stephanie Meyer!. (And I apologize in advance to any Twilight fans I may or may not be offending ;)Www@QuestionHome@Com Who are the so called "people that matter in literary criticism" you are referring to!? I've heard of him, but only recently as being considered A great American Novelist!. The only people I've seen argue him as "the great" are people on this site, and surely they aren't the "people who matter" that you're referring to!. I'd like to see your evidence of someone that matters saying this guy is "the greatest"!. Please post the links!. Here his first book tops out at #5: http://www!.nytimes!.com/2006/05/21/books/!.!.!. Julia Keller says the greatest American Novel is American Psycho: http://www!.publishersweekly!.com/blog/670!.!.!. I could go on and on with lists of varying different titles granted, I found Hemingway, Faulkner, Washington Irving, Saul Bellow, etc!. all mentioned by critics for major newspapers, but the simple truth is that "scholars" (those are the "people that matter in literary criticism") don't even try to debate "the greatest"!. Being called "A Great American Novelist" is considered an honor, but they generally won't try to declare a winner!. The reason is simple: You can't!. Just the fact that literary movements evolve make it an impossible contest - you'd not only be declaring the greatest writer, but also the best literary movement ever, god forbid that's in the past because you are saying that there's no point in people writing anymore!. That's ignorant!. While Roth is a highly respected novelist, I think Don DeLillo has more critical importance not only in social commentary, but also in literary achievement!. I think Ellis does as well!. I think your question is ignorantly phrased, and pretentious in nature!. I'd still like to see your source though, because after quite a while of searching Google Scholar, EBSCO Host, J Stor, and even just the general web I couldn't find him on top of any list!. I admit I could easily have missed it, but the burden of proof is on you anyway!. So!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I question your sources and wonder if your idea of what matters in literary criticism is rooted in the 1970's, since that is the last time that I recall hearing Roth mentioned as a contender for the crown!. Roth is a has been, resting on his laurels!. Laurels which may have been well deserved in his heyday but which he has not managed to sustain in subsequent decades!. Lionization is not synonymous with either quality or relevance!. Perhaps you need to stroll just a little bit closer to the century in which we are living and open your mind to some authors with broader ranges and less onanistic bents!. If you would like recommendations I would be more than happy to oblige!. ***Edit) You're certainly welcome to use it, Dixie Woman!. I admit to really enjoying writing it!. Thanks for the ovation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com to Reader: "onanistic bents" !!! (referring to Nathan Zuckerman, et all, no doubt) Applause, applause! I'm pretty sure I'm going to borrow that one!. Of course I've (we've) heard of Philip Roth!. After all, he actually wrote The Great American Novel!. Can't deny his literary importance but my problem is, he doesn't appeal to me!. I don't enjoy reading him !.!.!. so I don't!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I don't know about greatest novelist, but of course I've read Phillip Roth!. I don't like the need to designate "one greatest" in any field, but I think I'd lean heavily toward John Steinbeck!. "Grapes of Wrath" was on of the most beautifully crafted novels ever written!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Sure, I've read Roth!. Why do you want to keep asking this!? Are you trying to demonstrate your superiority!? Just bored!? Maybe you should spend the time reading!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Yes I have!. Read "The Plot Against America" - a great piece of alternative history!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |