Henry Roth
Henry Roth was an American novelist best known for his semi-autobiographical work "Call It Sleep," which gained critical acclaim after its reissue in the 1960s. Born in 1906 in what is now Ukraine, Roth emigrated to the United States as a child. His writing often explores themes of immigration, identity, and the Jewish experience. Despite a long hiatus in his literary career, Roth remains a significant figure in American literature.
Book summaries for books written by Henry Roth
Quotes
Fear unflinchingly added to itself, rousing phantoms to phantom hosts, all mingling with the stark terrifying reflection of his father.
He knew now that the world descended, not ascended. It was a descending, a hell.
Oh, where can one find rest from the hounding bafflings of the self?
To lie back wrapped about in warmth! How wonderful! It was almost not worth while ever to rise again from such a place.
His mind had slipped, staggering under the blow of utterance.
They formed into a legion of whispers that racked him with shame.
But he still believed a way out could be found—some bit of magic, some forgotten secret. It lay about him, yet he could not grasp it.
The mystery of being had long ago reduced him to an appendix.
There was a sullen flicker in his eyes.
He stood buffered up by the sheltering sky.
The demonized world of his own flesh deserted him.
The horror loomed slowly, rising as on hidden tiptoes.