Philip Roth Unleashed Part 2 BBC One Imagine 2014

Alan Yentob talks to Philip Roth in the second half of a two-part film.
After his scandalous debut with Portnoy's Complaint, and the intensely personal novels of his early career, Philip Roth turned this same fearless vision to some of the great themes of the American century - civil rights, McCarthyism, the Vietnam war - as his characters become impaled on history.
In a career spanning six decades Roth became one of the most controversial and influential writers of the modern age, and only now, with the advent of his 80th birthday, is he ready to reveal all.

[@AliHussain-fz7pd]

The man was a literary behemoth. A titan, bold, savage, insouciant. He had this rare, Nabakov-esque ability to conjure, to breathe life into both characters & situations with guile & menace. It’s as though his working class, immigrant background was never lost on him, professionally both upstanding & outstanding. To borrow a cricketing phrase, he came to the crease ready to bat, his fineries on display one after another, in an unrelenting deliverance to the public, he was a pugilist of a writer. And of course behind the scenes like most artists, a need to reconcile with ones self, but not in the distastefully modern self-obsessed way. There will only ever be one Philip Roth. Love from a Pakistani (1:02:14)

[@gavinbrando8255]

I want you to know that you made me want you to keep writing but be less flashy. You entertained me there and that's the best compliment I can give you. insha'Allah.

[@AliHussain-fz7pd]

@@gavinbrando8255 Thank you so much for your comment. It's very kind of you to take the time. I'm a little embarrassed reading it back nearly 4 years later. I'd missed the news of his passing and I'd been scouring the internet for his interviews. Your feedback is well-placed, in a bid to "come correct" while eulogising Roth..I went a little overboard. I hope you have a nice day. All the best 🙂

[@sunflower-oo1ff]

Philip Roth seems so sad in his older years... its not easy getting older...still love his brain and silence. Love you Roth .

[@whawkins8636]

Definitely my literary Hero

[@Javithegothi2.5.90]

I been reading Bailey's biography of Roth the last few weeks, and a spark has been set for me to suddenly re read most of Roth's novels. I had only read them as i approached my early 20's. Now I'm 31 (a few months shy of 32.) And damn! His writing style knocked me on my ass! I was blown away at the sheer depths, the limits and themes he touched upon and crossed with intensity and no holding back. One commenter said he was a "Titan." And i whole heartdly agree with that. He was a brilliant writer with a brilliant mind. He just takes my breath away. I personally feel from Sabbaths Theater on ward he was typing out one masterpiece after another. It's those books that made me bow down in awe of the legend that is Phillip Roth. RIP. We will never ever forget your legacy as long as we shall live. He was one of kind the world will never see again. Thanks for posting this, listened to both parts now half a dozen times, it never stops being fascinating.

[@bassamabdulmassih6736]

Amazing work, I discovered America by reading Roth and I discovered the man by watching this video!

[@dudus2f]

I'm currently writing my BA on Philip Roth's "American Pastoral" and this film helped me to understand Roth. Thanks. Greetings from Poland.

[@paulkossak7761]

To me his greatest work is Sabbath's theater. Also loved American pastoral.

[@e.l.s.3048]

The Great American Novel is good too. It sat on my shelf for 15 years and I finally finished it last week. =)

[@xz9376]

A wonderful documentary about Philip Roth, the great contemporary American writer, whom so many respect for and will be missed.

[@chetwill]

Absolutely splendid. A wonderful look at our finest living writer.

[@marlborogorila]

I first read Roth at the beggining of the year. Six months on I've read about 10 books by him. He is extraordinary, but never bigger then human in his dimension.

[@Javithegothi2.5.90]

I'm reading Sabbaths Theater currently. And I'm blown away at what masterful writer he was! The book itself is a masterpiece. Every word is just beautiful and full of meaning.

[@outragedamerican1149]

Truly, an amazing writer.

[@annafranklin4981]

Thank you for uploading. I really didn't know anything about Roth and this is a great doco. Thanks for making it possible for me to see it.

[@philipkarlsson9886]

thank you so much for this second part, I've been looking forward to it enormously

[@aleixpuig9809]

You forget talk about the little and precious "diyng animal"

[@flinkinyc]

Such an inspiration. Thanks for the upload!

[@zharapatterson]

American Pastoral is his literary Masterpiece.

[@jackgreendal8814]

terrific documentary!

[@hidwar]

thankyou for uploading

[@georgesotiriou7051]

Anyone knows the music piece at the end? Phenomenal documentary.

[@MrWilmasmiley]

very interesting

[@rafaelsqzbook]

What’s is music in 6:51 ?

[@danilkopaskudnik3002]

president's peenus on everybody's mind ... good old times..

[@danilkopaskudnik3002]

gonna say zet again ... i did not..