Philip Roth, fearless and celebrated Pulitzer Prize winning author, dies at 85

Roth won virtually every literary honour, including the Pulitzer Prize for the book, American Pastoral.

books Updated: May 23, 2018 10:17 IST

American author Philip Roth’s death was confirmed by his literary agent, Andrew Wylie, who said Roth died Tuesday night, May 22, 2018, of congestive heart failure. (AP)

Philip Roth, a prize-winning novelist and fearless narrator of sex, death, assimilation and fate, has died.

The celebrated and controversial author of Portnoy’s Complaint, The Counterlife and other novels was 85. His death was confirmed by his literary agent, Andrew Wylie, who said Roth died Tuesday night of congestive heart failure.

Roth won virtually every literary honour, including the Pulitzer Prize for American Pastoral.

Author of more than 25 books, Roth was a fierce satirist and uncompromising realist, confronting readers in a bold, direct style that scorned false sentiment or hopes for heavenly reward. He was an atheist who swore allegiance to earthly imagination, whether devising pornographic functions for raw liver or indulging romantic fantasies about Anne Frank.

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