Alice, what a beautiful post. Especially this: How do we know when to stop wanting other people to do what we want them to do, how do we recognize the soul among the glitter?
I didn’t think anyone was teaching Roth these days. So glad you are. I’ve read almost all of his work. Was always taken with the certainty and authority. What you pinpoint here speaks to that; even his rhetorical questions are not really rhetorical. Next level. I’m curious what your students make of it.
So well put. The confidence of the 24-year-old? Or certain 24-year-olds, but not often writers. I do teach him to undergrads who have never heard of him, not even in his stomping grounds of Newark. Next semester I will teach this novel (I think it's a novel) in a course on The Craft of the Novel. I'll report back.
How I wish I were in your class, Alice! The mix of learning writing skills, reflection, and deep-dive discussion would be a gift. Your final sentence, the message of the season - that's it's not all about us - coupled with the image of a full moon and icicles was a soul-filling lift.
I’ve never read it, but now I will. And I have to comment on the Wyeth’s; I love him too. The dog on the bed hangs in our house, along with others. So perfect.
Wyeth is my favorite. I just went to the Brandywine River Museum which is no longer all Wyeths but there was an excellent selection of Andrew watercolors that straddled the line between nature studies and abstraction.
I want to be in your class. I will read this again, but I remember when I did, as someone deep-fried in Catholicism, I thought he should have gone to Catholic school and he'd have wondered about this every day. So brilliant.
That is so funny and so right, Susan! A great thought experiment to imagine who Roth would have been if he'd been sent to Catholic school. I guess sending Neil Klugman into St. Patrick's is a version of that! I think he did wonder this every day.
I read this right after reading Hannah Gold’s essay in Harper’s - a perfect antidote! The essay is beautifully done but there’s no love for Roth or his fans there, just a kind of regretful admiration. You speak so beautifully to what there is in his work for those who wish to hear it.
I have the Harper's but haven't read it; I fear it will sadden me. I have a soft spot for male narcissists who are trying to write their way out of their blind spot before our eyes. I love Roth; his humanity breaks my heart.
Just got Goodbye, Columbus from my library. You did a mitzvah.
Alice, what a beautiful post. Especially this: How do we know when to stop wanting other people to do what we want them to do, how do we recognize the soul among the glitter?
I didn’t think anyone was teaching Roth these days. So glad you are. I’ve read almost all of his work. Was always taken with the certainty and authority. What you pinpoint here speaks to that; even his rhetorical questions are not really rhetorical. Next level. I’m curious what your students make of it.
So well put. The confidence of the 24-year-old? Or certain 24-year-olds, but not often writers. I do teach him to undergrads who have never heard of him, not even in his stomping grounds of Newark. Next semester I will teach this novel (I think it's a novel) in a course on The Craft of the Novel. I'll report back.
How I wish I were in your class, Alice! The mix of learning writing skills, reflection, and deep-dive discussion would be a gift. Your final sentence, the message of the season - that's it's not all about us - coupled with the image of a full moon and icicles was a soul-filling lift.
Thank you so much.
I’ve never read it, but now I will. And I have to comment on the Wyeth’s; I love him too. The dog on the bed hangs in our house, along with others. So perfect.
Wyeth is my favorite. I just went to the Brandywine River Museum which is no longer all Wyeths but there was an excellent selection of Andrew watercolors that straddled the line between nature studies and abstraction.
My middle daughter works in the art world and is based in nyc. She tells me there is a big exhibit/retrospective of his coming this spring...
Such a wise and deep consideration of a single page you've offered here. Now the whole novel merits a re-read. Thank you, as always.
Thank you, Lynne.
I want to be in your class. I will read this again, but I remember when I did, as someone deep-fried in Catholicism, I thought he should have gone to Catholic school and he'd have wondered about this every day. So brilliant.
That is so funny and so right, Susan! A great thought experiment to imagine who Roth would have been if he'd been sent to Catholic school. I guess sending Neil Klugman into St. Patrick's is a version of that! I think he did wonder this every day.
I am going to that page immediately! If I could, I would memorize the entire book. 💕
Agree! It's one of the books that is alive.
I love this, Alice, and I love Roth, but I have not read Goodbye, Columbus! Getting it now. Why read anything else?
Why indeed?
I read this right after reading Hannah Gold’s essay in Harper’s - a perfect antidote! The essay is beautifully done but there’s no love for Roth or his fans there, just a kind of regretful admiration. You speak so beautifully to what there is in his work for those who wish to hear it.
I have the Harper's but haven't read it; I fear it will sadden me. I have a soft spot for male narcissists who are trying to write their way out of their blind spot before our eyes. I love Roth; his humanity breaks my heart.
Thank you; I have to admit I have read very little Roth and never Goodbye. It just went on the list.
Worth it!
This makes me want to read it again. I first read it approximately 60 years ago and surely it would be a different experience now. Thanks, Alice
I think so! It's different for me every time I read it.