All About Books discussion

This weeks pick - or one of the two that were announced today for some weird reason (Mr. McCrum seems to be in a bit of a hurry) is Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth, the first author in this series that is still alive.

The book was published in 1969 and I would recommend reading the article, which I really enjoyed, also because McCrum talks about an interview Philip Roth gave him in 2008.

Another book I have not read! I must make reading books from this list part of my personal challenge next year -- at least with 100 I have a chance of reading most of them (unlike the Guardian's list of 1000 that I am working on)!

I've read others by Philip Roth but not yet this one.

I read Portnoy's Complaint ages ago, and it left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. That is why I haven't picked up other books by the author. Maybe it is time I try another. Has anyone read American Pastoral? One book disappoints you and you don't dare try another. I was merely a teenager when I read it.

Chrissie wrote: "I read Portnoy's Complaint ages ago, and it left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. That is why I haven't picked up other books by the author. Maybe it is time I try another. Has anyone read ..."


By him I've read some novels but not this one; the one I liked best was The Plot Against America, but I admit that American Pastoral or The Human Stain were great books, even if hard to "digest". Funny note, in I Married a Communist my beloved Trollope is quoted!!!!!!

Laura, could you explain more what you mean by "hard to digest"?

Not so easy to read and not feel ill. The situations are so hard there, terrible sometimes, you'd like to close the book...

Leslie wrote: "Another book I have not read! I must make reading books from this list part of my personal challenge next year -- at least with 100 I have a chance of reading most of them (unlike the Guardian's l..."

I'm thinking the same Leslie. It seems achievable although I have already tried and failed to read a couple of the books.

Laura, doesn't sound fun. Thanks you for your help.

@Heather -- sometimes trying and failing counts for me. If I try a book enough to know that I definitely do NOT want to read any further, I can cross it off the list unlike those books I try and say "meh, not in the mood for this".

I would say that the description of this book didn't appeal to me in the least. Laura & Chrissie's comments make me feel even more sure that this is a book I will most likely not like.

Leslie, I cannot speak for his other books but Portnoy's Complaint I wouldn't try.