Lamenting the sad loss of Philip Roth in an odd way.

A week or two ago the "Great" American author Philip Roth Passed away. He was the writer of "American Pastoral", "The Human Stain", "Portnoy's Complaint" and another twenty to thirty books.

In my opinion many "American" authors of contemporary literature go a little "over the top" to make a name for themselves (some that are British also) parodying American life. Roth was one, Tom Wolfe (who I far preferred) another. Many British or Scandinavian writers would not have included so much "excess" as Mr Roth, Hunter S Thompson, Tom Wolfe, Bret Easton Ellis and many other "U.S." writers include. I suspect that is because the "American" view of success differs from that other nations.

They do not value happiness or contentment but rather money and riches. Perhaps that comes from their forebears and "Frontier" values. This makes "American Literature" essentially different from many writers working in the same field in other countries. " Peculiarly American".

From the East those contemporary writers are seeking contentment and enlightenment, In the North West; Britain, France, Scandinavia, a consensus between all things. In the US; Excess. Mr Roth, in the few of his books I read, exemplified that ethos. A sincere introspection coupled with graphic abandon created most of his thoughts and his writings. This may seem too many an irreverent piece, adding it so soon after the authors death but it is not as I do have something to praise him for.

His cool charm and easy writing style that drew me through the books of his, I read, with comfort and ease. Few authors, especially those writing contemporary fiction are able to do so easily but Mr Roth had that ability. I may not have a greed with all he wrote but I do agree that he was a great writer.