This is the first Philip Roth book which I have read and I was very impressed with it. The story is told in a very simple style however it has a huge depth of meaning and theme in it. The books seems to be about the futility of human endeavour against chance and the wider world, which will destroy the individual unless s/he conforms. The characterisations and style are superb as is the pacing. I look forward to reading more of Mr Roth's work in the future based on this volume. ( )

This novel tells a very compelling story of a young man’s attempt to escape an increasingly protective and obsessive father by transferring to an out of state college for his sophomore year. While this isn’t a story line that would usually appeal to me, it was so well written and the characters were so funny and interesting that I found it to be a very quick and enjoyable read. -- Melissa Sokol (9/15/09) ( )

This book is a good demonstration of a young man's fight for individuality against society. It's also a good demonstration of stubborn youth. Marcus Messner is trying to make his way in the world. It is 1951 and he is desperately trying to avoid being drafted during the Korean War, yet still trying to have his own life away from his over protective father. The results are disasterous for the main character. My favorite passages:"Almost from the day I entered robert treat, from the day I graduated high school to the day I entered college, my father became obsessed with the fact that I might die. " "Maybe his fear for me stemmed from a fear for himself. At the age of 50, after enjoying a lifetime of robust good health, this sturdy little man began to develop the persistent rackIng ciugh t at troubling as it was to my mother did not stop him from keeping a lit Cigarette forever at the corner of his mouth all day long. For whatever the cause, or causes fuelIng the abrupt chae in his previously benign eternal behavior he manifested his fear by hounding me day and night about my whereabouts...it was as though the father with whom I had been so close during all these years practicallt growi up at his side at the store had no idea of who or what his son was...and crazy with the frightening discovery that a little boy grows up, grows tall ove shadows his parents, and that you can't keep him then. You have to relinquish him to the world. ""I hadn't the stomach to do battle with the dean of menanymore than I had the stomach to do battle with my fathermy roommates, yet battle I did despite myself.""Cartwell was right there will always be somethingdriving you nuts, your father, your roommate, your havingto attend chapel 40 times so stop thinking about transferringto another school and concentrate on graduating as first in your class." ( )

Not vintage Roth but better than the disappointing Exit Ghost, with flashes of his old magic. I was left indignant at what happened to the narrator, Marcus Messner, but I'm not sure the indignation planted throughout the rest of the novel was fierce enough.

I do feel Roth is at his best when writing, as here, about the 1950s. Simultaneously he manages to get across the absurd hypocracies of the time with a sense that it was still a better time.

A good book from a man who has written many great books. ( )