by Philip Roth
It is the stifling summer of 1944, and polio has invaded Newark. 23-year-old playground director Bucky Cantor is committed to his job: teaching children the benefits of sport. Each day, Bucky sweats through the children’s activities, taking pride in his commitment to physical fitness.
But polio changes everything. When some of his playground charges are stricken with the disease, Bucky starts to question everything, including God. With friends at war and neighborhood children dying, Bucky begins to lose the strength for which he has always been known. Polio, it appears, is just that powerful.
An excellent and engrossing short novel.
1/19/11
1 comment:
A friend recommended this book to me a while ago. I'm not enthusiastic about Roth's writing, sometimes he's just too blunt for me; but I think I'll give this one a try.
I love your blog though! I've read a few of your suggestions now!
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