Sabbath's Theater

Sabbath's Theater is definitely not my favorite Roth.  It's dark, dirty, tragic and sometimes hard to read through the gritty sex-driven plot which lacks the elegance I've enjoyed in his other novels.  Yet it's still smart, human, and the writing is engaging, a far more enjoyable experience than I've had with other books that have had just as distasteful topics.

To a point, you hope that Sabbath will pull through and become a better person, but over and over again he slips until his failures become irredeemable and impossible to forgive.  After so many pages piling on account after account of his predatory nature, I started to feel creeped out and uncomfortable.  Basically, only in his moments with Drenka is he ever really likable.  He's capable of being kind, charming, and even loving, and I guess that's what makes him even more disgusting when he acquieces to his vile urges.

Speaking of Drenka, the people around him are always so good in contrast.  Not just her, but Norman, Fish, Morty, Matthew and even Katie.  Despite being surrounded by their support and love, Sabbath still cannot become a model citizen.  I suppose it's a comment on human nature and the expectations of society.

I wouldn't read this again, but I don't regret it, either.  On to the next.