Patrimony: a True Story

Patrimony, a true story, touches the emotions as strongly as anything Philip Roth has ever written. Roth watches as his 86-year-old father–famous for his vigor, charm, and his repertoire of Newark recollections–battles with the brain tumor that will kill him. The son, full of love, anxiety, and dread, accompanies his father through each fearful stage of his final ordeal, and, as he does so, discloses the survivalist tenacity that has distinguished his father’s long, stubborn engagement with life.

‘A deeply resonant portrait of a father and son…. Roth has looked past all comfort and condolence to find the truth–about himself and his father; about death and the fear of it; and about the absolute vulnerability to which love condemns us all.’–Chicago Tribune