Mr. Roth’s other great theme was sex, or male lust, which in his books is both a life force and a principle of rage and disorder. In public Mr. Roth, tall and good-looking, was gracious and charming but with little use for small talk. Mr. Roth once described him as a cross between Captain Ahab and Willy Loman. The family lived in a five-room apartment on Summit Avenue within which were only three books when he was growing up — given as presents when someone was ill, Mr. Roth said. Inspired by one of his professors, Mildred Martin, with whom he remained a lasting friend, Mr. Roth switched his interests from law to literature.

Source: New York Times May 23, 2018 03:22 UTC