Philip Roth, a gifted and beloved writer with Newark roots, died at 85 last night of congestive heart failure. Roth was a significant literary figure, breaking records for his deeply humorous, sexy and often times shocking stories of life as a man, a Jew, an American and a creative genius.
His literary awards and achievements are many, and include 2 National Book Critics Circle awards, three PEN/Faulkner Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, 2 National Book Awards, and the Man Booker Prize (International).
Portnoy's Complaint, one of his most famous novels, offered the world an intimate view into the life and libido of a young boy/man. But throughout the decades of Roth's imaginative writing, the theme of living life fully always broke through, and changed as the author lived as a young man to a successful writer to an 85 year old writer.
“Dreams? If only they had been! But I don't need dreams, Doctor, that's why I hardly have them—because I have this life instead. With me it all happens in broad daylight!” - Portnoy's Complaint.
His gifted writing and poetic, humorous stories created a new genre, and should not be missed.
Click here to view a list of his books with links to purchase.