tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966105053893858768.post2660488453698856949..comments2018-03-17T03:54:35.520-04:00Comments on Don't you have anything better to do than to read this blog?: Denial Ain’t Just a River in Egypt…Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17489577049569202990noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966105053893858768.post-16440722552432927502012-12-02T13:50:57.726-05:002012-12-02T13:50:57.726-05:00A.J.--I have to admit, I've read Goodbye, Colu...A.J.--I have to admit, I've read Goodbye, Columbus, I Married a Communist, and Everyman--and after that--I had enough. I guess I view Roth as an "American snapshot" writer (or in his case, "Jewish American snapshot" writer) who tries to make a strong, bold statement about life in American society that ends up coming out as a whimpering collection of quips delivered through the thoughts and dialogue of forgettable characters and story lines. When you compare literature that tries to reveal something about Jewish culture and life in post-WWII America, Roth doesn't even come close to the talent or "impact" that Arthur Miller, Elie Wiesel, and Art Spiegelman do. <br /><br />I think it is one of the major problems with the publishing world and the readership that looks to it for guidance in that writers are elevated to a level of greatness that they really shouldn't be. Whether or it is an American identity issue--where we feel we must have a top ten list of Great American writers (i.e., Great American minds) ready at hand to whip out whenever the nation is criticized for being intellectually bankrupt--or something else, I don't know. <br /><br />But for Roth to be considered an author of such distinction that he can dictate who is worthy and who is not in the world of literature--for me--I'd approach his recommendations with the same caution I approach his work: there might be something there, but chances are, there isn't much. Jennifer Gritthttp://pursuit.jennifergritt.comnoreply@blogger.com