The Human Stain by Philip Roth
The Human Stain is a novel that explores the life of Coleman Silk, a classics professor in a small New England town who is forced to retire after accusations of racism. The story delves into Silk's personal history, revealing that he is a light-skinned African American who has been passing as a Jewish man for most of his adult life. His affair with a much younger, illiterate janitor further scandalizes the community. The novel examines themes of identity, race, and the destructive power of public shaming.
The 760th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 2000
- Nationality
- American
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 361
- Words
- 136,000
- Original Language
- English
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This book is on the following lists:
- 4th on Quintessential American Fiction, According to the Rest of the World (Literary Hub)
- 99th on The 500 best books of all time from Culture Café users (Culture Café)
- 211th on Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction (PEN/Faulkner)
- What Is the Best Work of American Fiction of the Last 25 Years? (New York Times)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)
- 110 Best Books: The Perfect Library (The Telegraph)
- Best Foreign Work of Fiction Chosen by Francophone Writers (French literary magazine Transfuge)