Patrimony: A True Story

Publisher and industry reviews

UK Kirkus review

This book is subtitled 'A True Story', which on the surface raises immediate questions about the nature of Philip Roth's work, given the autobiographical nature of his fiction and the invasion of his memoirs by his fictional alter ego. But perhaps it is best to take the statement at face value, for this is one of the most remarkable accounts ever written by a son about his father. Herman Roth in his mid-80s suffered from a brain tumour and in his struggle against death emerges as a heroic, often impossible figure. But in the forefront of everything is the deep and intelligent affection of a son for his father. Roth is much too subtle a writer to allow this to be just a work of homage, for it also reveals a whole world of Jewish life, humour and survival which goes some way to explaining Roth's own fiction. The result is immensely moving and often very funny. (Kirkus UK)

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