Henry Roth

Henry Roth (1906–1995) was an American novelist best known for his novel 'Call It Sleep,' published in 1934. The book gained little attention initially but eventually became a classic, celebrated for its portrayal of immigrant life in New York City. After a long period of silence, Roth published 'Mercy of a Rude Stream,' a series of novels that began in 1994, which were also well-received. His works are known for their introspective style and exploration of Jewish identity and experience in America.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Call It Sleep

    Cover of 'Call It Sleep' by Henry Roth

    This novel tells the story of a young Jewish boy, David Schearl, who immigrates to New York City with his mother in the early 20th century. The narrative explores David's struggles to understand his harsh father, his experiences with anti-Semitism and poverty in the Lower East Side, and his journey of self-discovery through his vivid imagination. The boy's fears and dreams are depicted through a stream-of-consciousness narrative technique, providing a powerful exploration of the immigrant experience and the harsh realities of the American dream.