The Humbling

Axler's Complaint

Once a star, the actor has lost his mojo, and ends up hospitalized in a mental health facility. Phillip Roth's novella, which could easily be read in under 2 hours, takes us on a misogynistic adventure where the women continually fail. Axler's wife has left him, so he takes up with a lesbian named Pejeen, over 20 years his junior. She, in turn, has left her lover because the latter wanted to be a man. En route, Pejeen obtains a job by sleeping with the dean whom she will shortly jilt for Axler. The tale goes from there and the reader is witness to some very intimate moments. One gets to see the pain that Axler feels, and maybe wishes he could get himself together to resume his career. But the individual reader may ultimately wonder why he or she should care at all for any of the characters, and that decision probably decides how much the story is enjoyed. For me, it was a quick read, so I saw it through, but I didn't feel enriched for the experience.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

do not bother with Nook app

After buying this book as a cheap trial of the Nook eBook reader, I was unable to read it on the computer MacBook Pro without entering my name and credit card information each time I opened it. It would not show-up on my iPod Touch. The best tech support could offer was a refund. I removed the application from the computer, the app from the iPod, and crossed the Nook off the list of possible products and pretty much did the same with B&N as a book resource.
I was trying to choose between the Nook and an iPad. The Nook might be a good device but the app is a waste of time.
B&N's support is wonderful. They are the best.

3 1/2 stars

Roth is writing about himself again, his fears of getting physically old, perhaps of being alone. The book s sexy at times, very titillating. The main character is a bit younger than Roth, as I am. I can relate to much of the character's worries about aging, etc. Anything Roth writes is worth reading. This doesn't quite measure up to many of his earlier works. My favorites: Sabbath's Theater, American Pastoral, and The Counterlife. Indignation, a recent work by him and also a slim volume, is superior to this one.

Minor Roth, still worth anyone's time

A less interesting Roth, still written in his superb style. A failed aging actor, whose life is re-invigorated when he falls in love with a lesbian, is surprised when she reciprocates his interest. Why this happens, and the people whose lives are affected, make up the heart of the novel. The ending, which takes place almost on the last page, is a brilliant plot invention. (Parenthetically, an absurd orgy that is not essential to the plot, was selected among the worst portrayals of sex in 2009. It is always satisfying when exceptionalism is recognized)

Did not finish reading

Not what I expected. Boring reading!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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