The Human Stain
By Roth, Philip

I had never read Philip Roth before but considering his reputation I had high hopes when my book club decided to read The Human Stain. On the surface the novel is an indictment of political correctness, but as we read on we discover the true subject matter of the book is how secrets shape our psyches.

Each of the four main characters has a secret which has shaped the entirety of their adult lives. Roth examines the rich interior lives of each of the quartet. These portraits are as vivid and engaging in themselves as the plot which showcases volatile results of when such psychically potent lives mix. If you missed this one when it first came out a few years back, now’s your chance to read what will surely come to be considered one of Roth’s best.

- Bryan