Ellroy Reads – Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth

Ellroy Reads returns with a look at Philip Roth’s hilariously grotesque Portnoy’s Complaint. This is a gleefully polemical novel which examines every conceivable aspect of sexual obsession. It comes as no surprise then, that it was highly influential to James Ellroy. Although he is both gentile and Christian, the young Ellroy could be read as a living, breathing embodiment of the Alexander Portnoy of the novel.

I also go into some detail as to controversies surrounding Blake Bailey’s biography of Philip Roth and how it affected Ellroy and my writing of Love Me Fierce in Danger: The Life of James Ellroy.

You can watch the episode below. If you enjoy it, hit the like button. If you love it, then subscribe.