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Jim Fonseca's Reviews > Everyman
Everyman
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In addition to my usual translations, I’ve decided to read at least one book by famous authors I have not previously read. So I’ll try Philip Roth. But wait! � eons ago I read Portnoy’s Complaint � didn’t everyone back then (1969)? Lol.
The review contains mild SPOILERS.
Everyman is a chronicle of the end of the life of a supposedly average man. The story begins with his family and friends gathering for his funeral and ends with his death. He reflects back on his upbringing and his adult life, especially his final years � retirement, social security, Medicare, hospitalizations, operations.
He has moved out of New York after the events of 9-11 and lives in a ‘senior village� in New Jersey. He takes up art to occupy his empty days. He was a talented painter as a kid but never had time to pursue it as an adult.
He contrasts his numerous health problems with the situation of his older brother who has none, and he’s envious. The main character is in his early 70’s; his brother mid-70’s. He’s angry at the gods for his health problems because he tried to do the right things: he never smoked, drinks only moderately, exercises. But he’s actually angry at his brother for his brother's good health. He watches friends and acquaintances die; some suddenly, some slowly and painfully, some from suicide.
He has several ex’s and three adult children: two estranged sons and a loving, doting daughter. As he looks back he thinks of himself as (1) a lousy husband who could not be faithful (2) a terrible father (3) an excellent advertising executive who made big money and (4) a mediocre artist. As he looks back over his life, his mantra is: THAT’S THE WAY I AM, I COULDN’T HELP MYSELF. Frank Sinatra’s ‘I Did it My Way� comes to mind.
He gives art classes at the senior center. (view spoiler)
There’s humor, as when his brother referred to one of his brides, twenty years younger, as ‘…that titanically ineffective cover girl you married…�
It’s hard for me to rate this book. I am tempted to call it a ‘self-help manual,� lol, but the author is not really a guy I want to take advice from. It’s more of a guide to ‘what to expect as you age.� It reminds me too of John Updike's collection of short stories about aging My Father's Tears and Other Stories. I’m the same age as Roth when he wrote this book in 2006. So, can I expect to live to 85 as Roth (1933-2018) and my father did?
I liked the story; it’s good but not stellar writing in a literary sense. But I’ll give it a 4, maybe 4.5.
Top photo from picayuneitem.com
Photo from aplaceformom.com
The author from newyorker.com
The review contains mild SPOILERS.
Everyman is a chronicle of the end of the life of a supposedly average man. The story begins with his family and friends gathering for his funeral and ends with his death. He reflects back on his upbringing and his adult life, especially his final years � retirement, social security, Medicare, hospitalizations, operations.
He has moved out of New York after the events of 9-11 and lives in a ‘senior village� in New Jersey. He takes up art to occupy his empty days. He was a talented painter as a kid but never had time to pursue it as an adult.
He contrasts his numerous health problems with the situation of his older brother who has none, and he’s envious. The main character is in his early 70’s; his brother mid-70’s. He’s angry at the gods for his health problems because he tried to do the right things: he never smoked, drinks only moderately, exercises. But he’s actually angry at his brother for his brother's good health. He watches friends and acquaintances die; some suddenly, some slowly and painfully, some from suicide.
He has several ex’s and three adult children: two estranged sons and a loving, doting daughter. As he looks back he thinks of himself as (1) a lousy husband who could not be faithful (2) a terrible father (3) an excellent advertising executive who made big money and (4) a mediocre artist. As he looks back over his life, his mantra is: THAT’S THE WAY I AM, I COULDN’T HELP MYSELF. Frank Sinatra’s ‘I Did it My Way� comes to mind.
He gives art classes at the senior center. (view spoiler)
There’s humor, as when his brother referred to one of his brides, twenty years younger, as ‘…that titanically ineffective cover girl you married…�
It’s hard for me to rate this book. I am tempted to call it a ‘self-help manual,� lol, but the author is not really a guy I want to take advice from. It’s more of a guide to ‘what to expect as you age.� It reminds me too of John Updike's collection of short stories about aging My Father's Tears and Other Stories. I’m the same age as Roth when he wrote this book in 2006. So, can I expect to live to 85 as Roth (1933-2018) and my father did?
I liked the story; it’s good but not stellar writing in a literary sense. But I’ll give it a 4, maybe 4.5.
Top photo from picayuneitem.com
Photo from aplaceformom.com
The author from newyorker.com
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Reading Progress
June 23, 2021
–
Started Reading
June 27, 2021
– Shelved
June 27, 2021
– Shelved as:
american-authors
June 27, 2021
– Shelved as:
retirement
June 27, 2021
– Shelved as:
dying
June 27, 2021
– Shelved as:
disease
June 27, 2021
–
Finished Reading
December 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
aging
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by
Quo
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May 01, 2024 03:03PM
135 "Likes" & no comments, or were they erased? This is far from Roth's best work but he was indeed a gifted writer, though one whose personal life at least occasionally distracted would-be readers from enjoying his prose. (Yes, much like Mr. Updike, who you alluded to.) In any case, here's wishing you good health & good books well past the age of 85! Bill
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Quo wrote: "135 "Likes" & no comments, or were they erased? This is far from Roth's best work but he was indeed a gifted writer, though one whose personal life at least occasionally distracted would-be readers..."Thanks for your good wishes Bill. I read Portnoy years ago but didn't particularly enjoy it. I see on GR that his book Patrimony, about a man dealing with his father's death is by far his highest rated book. I had never heard of it Have you read that one? Is there one you would suggest?
A self-help Philip Roth book? Yikes! But maybe you convinced me, Jim. I do like his work (but never read Portnoy’s Complaint).
David wrote: "A self-help Philip Roth book? Yikes! But maybe you convinced me, Jim. I do like his work (but never read Portnoy’s Complaint)."Hi David, I said in a comment above that I read Portnoy years ago but didn't particularly enjoy it. GR stats show that his book with the highest rating is Patrimony, about a man dealing with his father's death. If I read another by him it might be that one
Jim: Two books by Philip Roth that I enjoyed a great deal are The Plot Against America (which I've read twice, once for a book club discussion) & American Pastoral. I think I gave the former 4*s but the latter novel is better in my opinion, though I've not done a G/R of the book. Beyond that, many at this site whose literary judgement I respect awarded American Pastoral 5*s & it did win a Pulitzer Prize for Roth. Beyond that, later in life, Roth read Portnoy's Complaint & confessed to being embarrassed by it. Bill
Quo wrote: "Jim: Two books by Philip Roth that I enjoyed a great deal are The Plot Against America (which I've read twice, once for a book club discussion) & American Pastoral. I think I gave the former 4*s bu..."Thank you Bill
