Everyman

By: Philip Roth

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

There is no more decorated American writer living today than Philip Roth, the New York Times best-selling author of American Pastoral, The Human Stain, and The Plot Against America. He has won a Pulitzer Prize, two National Book Awards, two National Book Critics Circle Awards, two PEN/Faulkner Awards, and numerous other distinctions.

The hero of Everyman is obsessed with mortality. As he reminds himself at one point, "I'm 34! Worry about oblivion when you're 75." But he cannot help himself. He is the ex-husband in three marriages gone wrong. He is the father of two sons who detest him, despite a daughter who adores him. And as his health worsens, he is the envious brother of a much fitter man. A masterful portrait of one man's inner struggles, Everyman is a brilliant showcase for one of the world's most distinguished novelists.

Listen to an interview with Philip Roth on Fresh Air.

©2006 Philip Roth (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

• 2007 PEN/Faulkner Award, Fiction

"Roth continues exercising his career-defining, clear-eyed, intelligent vision of how the psychology of families works." ( Booklist)

"This is an artful yet surprisingly readable treatise on...well, on being human....Through it all, there's that Rothian voice: pained, angry, arrogant, and deeply, wryly funny." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Our most accomplished novelist. . . . [With Everyman] personal tenderness has reached a new intensity." ( The New Yorker)

Probably the most depressing book ever.

Not for the weak of heart. Will make you worry about every little ache or pain you ever get after listening to this book!!

Everyman... life a journey to sunset

You waken you live you exist you think you reflect and then a sunset... for Everyman...

Want an unvarnished existential view of life?

Then this may be the book for you. The prose is great. The characters are sufficiently vivid. The reflections on life are sufficiently profound. The main character's actions and inactions are all sufficiently realistic or appropriately motivated. The whole book is a very thoughtful, well-done examination of what it means to be a human being in today's world. I can even say that I enjoyed the book while I was listening to it. And yet, when it was over, I really had a hard time thinking of a good reason that this book needed to exist. YMMV

Rich, heartbreaking

I would give this a 5 except I find the narrator to have a bit of a halting style that distracted me from time to time.

But, the story itself is terrific. It is a bit short, but then, so's life, and that's the point here. (And besides, it was the perfect length for a 5-hour flight yesterday.) The reflections on mortality, life, failure to be the person we expect and hope to be, all of these ideas make this a brilliant listen--one that is close to the bone sometimes.

A keeper.

Want to think about death?

The book traces a lifetime through familial relationships, and the topics of vitality, age, and death are narrated expertly by Guidall. The book made me think about the topics, but wasn't overly philosophical, and in some parts the poetic language was what I was most impressed with. A fine audio book, but not incredibly remarkable.

A strong volume

Philip Roth's "Everyman" is as insightful as it is chilling.
From beginning to end, Roth continues (as in previous projects) to unmask the evidently meaninigless notion of purpose and leaves his reader with nothing more than existential deliberation. A truly powerful book, but be warned: altough on occation one might find himself smiling or even savoring a good laugh, you will not come out of this novel with a smile on your face. You will, however, enjoy every minute of it.
Guidall takes Roth's beautifully intricate language to new hights with a truly astounding performance.

Classic Roth

"Old age isn't a battle. Old age is a massacre." This is just one of many truisms packed into this gem. It's short and sweet and full of beautiful writing, excellent storytelling and great characters.

Depressing

If your over 70 years old, don't read this

A classic for the ages

This book reminded me of Tolstoy's, The Death of Ivan Ilyich. It brings you face to face with how you live your life, what the trajectory of your life should be from the perspective of live's inevitable passing. The book forces you to examine those aspects of your life that you may not be proud of, and helps show you the potential consequences of risky living.

I replayed certain scenes in this book several times, and the messages that I took from it have stayed with me now for many months.

This is not a feel-good book at all, but one that will make you think, examine, and question.

Brilliant work.

Roth's second best is most author's best

I will begin by admitting that I am a fan of Roth. I am also willing to admit that only those who appreciate the author will enjoy this book. It lacks the power of American Pastoral and Human Stain(where I would recommend you start) but then again, so do almost all books. It is also brief, which seemed to prevent me from getting too invested in the characters.