Zuckerman Unbound

Rating:
Summary: Amusing and heartbreaking
Review: Closer to three-and-a-half stars. "Zuckerman Unbound" is a solid addition to Roth's oeuvre; the story of Nathan Zuckerman's meteoric rise to fame following publication of "Carnovsky" (a novel reminiscent of "Portnoy's Complaint") is amusing, especially if one considers it at least partly based on Roth's own literary notoriety. The novel is not as uniformly great as its predecessor, "The Ghost Writer," yet it possesses a quiet charm all its own, alternately funny and heartbreaking. The novel's solemn (indeed, grim) ending illustrates the real-world impact of an author's vocation in fiction. There's much to enjoy about this book, whether or not one is a fan of Roth in general.

Rating:
Summary: Like a breath of fresh air
Review: I loved this book. Unlike other Philip Roth novels, this one was very user friendly, the story was a straight forward account of Nathan Zuckerman, the alter ego of Roth. In this story Nathan has published his PORTNOY like novel, and how he deals with the success of such a novel. We are shown how his life is affected and how it affects others. Whether it be groupies, kidnappers, ex-lovers, angry fans and adoring celebrities. I thought the story was fun, light and a great joy to get through. Check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Bounding
Review: What's to say when I'm talking to a bunch of people who've already read the book? Can I talk anybody into reading this novel, this author? Well, we can celebrate him anyway. Roth's genius, his daimon (excuse me) is in the final shape his talk-talk-talking-mind carves. He is not a miniaturist, a poet (by title) or a songmaker - he is a garrulous detailer who knows by instinct the important bumps and curves of whatever psychic "thing" he is trying to talk to, reach. Hence, his insight is not PRIMARILY philosophical or psychological - but beautifully AESTHETIC. Aesthetic not by strong distillation, but by long breaths - width informed by depth (as opposed to, of course, depth informed by width - the poet, songmaker) His talent is his talent - his genius, (and thus his very uncomfortableness,) is in his knowing when to stop. Which gives rise to this book and its dark shape, told comically. Presumably he felt that its unsettled and unresolved shape needed the overarching redress of additional books - - but it really does not. Each book of "the trilogy" is its own separate animal, and can be enjoyed without yoking them together - - though Roth's doing so seemed to be necessary for his peace of mind. But anyway, enjoy - and go off and write your own.