Joseph Roth

Joseph Roth was an Austrian-Jewish journalist and novelist, best known for his family saga 'Radetzky March' and for his novel 'The Legend of the Holy Drinker'. Born on September 2, 1894, in Brody, Galicia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Roth died on May 27, 1939, in Paris. His work is known for its melancholic and elegiac tone, often reflecting on the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the plight of its Jewish citizens after World War I.

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. The Radetzky March

    "The Radetzky March" is a historical novel that explores the decline and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the experiences of the Trotta family, across three generations. The narrative begins with Lieutenant Trotta, who saves the life of the Emperor during the Battle of Solferino, and follows his descendants as they navigate the complexities of life in the empire. The novel delves into themes of duty, honor, and the inevitability of change, painting a vivid picture of a society in decline.

  2. 2. Weights And Measures

    "Weights and Measures" is a poignant narrative that delves into the life of a conscientious imperial weights and measures inspector, who is uprooted from his contented existence in the city to a remote border town. In this new environment, he struggles with the corruption and indifference of the local merchants, which stands in stark contrast to his own principled nature. His sense of duty and his quest for justice become increasingly burdensome, leading to a profound personal crisis that reflects the broader decay of societal values in a world on the brink of great change and upheaval.