A landmark biography of one of our most prominent chroniclers of American life
In this groundbreaking literary biography, Steven J. Zipperstein captures the complex life and astonishing work of Philip Roth (1933-2018), one of America's most celebrated writers. Born in Newark, New Jersey-where his short stories and books were often set-Roth wrote with ambition and awareness of what was required to produce great literature. No writer was more dedicated to his craft, even as he was rubbing shoulders with the Kennedys and engaging in a spate of famous and infamous romances. And yet, as much as Roth wrote about sex and self, he viewed himself as socially withdrawn, living much like an "unchaste monk" (his words).
Zipperstein explores the unprecedented range of Roth's work-from "Goodbye, Columbus" and Portnoy's Complaint to the Pulitzer Prize-winning American Pastoral and The Plot Against America. Drawing on extensive archival materials and over one hundred interviews, including conversations with Roth about his life and work, Zipperstein provides an intimate and insightful look at one of the twentieth century's most influential writers, placing his work in the context of his obsessions, as well as American Jewishness, freedom, and sexuality.
| ISBN: | 9780300251555 |
| Publication date: | 6th January 2026 |
| Author: | Steven J Zipperstein |
| Publisher: | Yale University Press |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 368 pages |
| Series: | Jewish Lives |
| Genres: |
Biography: writers Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000 |
A landmark biography of one of our most prominent chroniclers of American life
In this groundbreaking literary biography, Steven J. Zipperstein captures the complex life and astonishing work of Philip Roth (1933-2018), one of America's most celebrated writers. Born in Newark, New Jersey-where his short stories and books were often set-Roth wrote with ambition and awareness of what was required to produce great literature. No writer was more dedicated to his craft, even as he was rubbing shoulders with the Kennedys and engaging in a spate of famous and infamous romances. And yet, as much as Roth wrote about sex and self, he viewed himself as socially withdrawn, living much like an "unchaste monk" (his words).
Zipperstein explores the unprecedented range of Roth's work-from "Goodbye, Columbus" and Portnoy's Complaint to the Pulitzer Prize-winning American Pastoral and The Plot Against America. Drawing on extensive archival materials and over one hundred interviews, including conversations with Roth about his life and work, Zipperstein provides an intimate and insightful look at one of the twentieth century's most influential writers, placing his work in the context of his obsessions, as well as American Jewishness, freedom, and sexuality.
Philip Roth features in the following genres: Biography: writers, Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000
Philip Roth is available in Hardback
Philip Roth was written by Steven J Zipperstein and published by Yale University Press
Philip Roth has 368 pages
Yes it is part of Jewish Lives series
£15.29