Offmessage

Set against the backdrop of Clinton’s impeachment for fiddling with his intern The Human Stain tells the story of Coleman Silk, an apparently unstoppable professor of Classics at a small New England college. The novel begins with the aftermath of Coleman being accused of racism towards his students and continues through his relationship with one of the college’s cleaning staff� Unfortunately each of his actions appears to bring him more misfortune.

This is an odd one for me. I actually bought it 3 years ago but had never read it � the blurb on the back had seemed appealing when in the bookshop, but each time I came to pick it up there was always something more attractive (and frankly less heavy looking) to read instead. It was only a review of the recent film (starring Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman) on Radio 4 that made me reconsider and actually try to read it.

Mark Lawson’s rave review of the film seemed to be so positive primarily because the film had managed so well to reflect the nature of Roth’s prose � in fact the film’s review seemed to be mostly a review of the book. This was, therefore, enough for me to actually try to read it.

To a degree my initial prejudices had been right. This is not a flowery read � Roth’s use of language is structured, clean and intellectual. But happily this isn’t Will Self territory either, where you feel some of the language is unnecessarily complex (first chapter of Great Apes, anyone?). Liken it more to the language and structures of Alistair Cooke � someone I couldn’t help thinking of throughout the first couple of chapters as I found my feet and the narrator found his voice.

This is a novel of secrets � so much so that it’s difficult to give a pr�cis of the plot� As the narrative progresses layer upon layer of Coleman’s life is peeled away to reveal yet more that we and the characters around him didn’t and couldn’t know. Running alongside each of the other peripheral characters also slowly shed their masks to reveal their inner selves � ultimately giving us a powerful insight into the nature of ambition and prejudice.

The prose is beautifully structured � its apparent sparseness quickly losing any initial harshness, acting instead as a subtle framework from which to hang elegantly formed characters and ideas. While it is indubitably East Coast American - with its careful structure and form - it is definitely more delicate filigree than stark scaffolding.

This is the first book I’ve read by Philip Roth, and I’ve had a whole new world opened up for me by opening its pages. Many of the books I read and review are ‘modern’ in their outlook or their form; this one is most definitely modern in its themes but it is rooted firmly in literary tradition � there are no flash tricks here � but somehow it feels more solid and more lasting than most I’ve read in a while. I loved this one and I’m looking forward to reading some more. If anyone has any recommendations, let me know.