Everyman by Philip Roth follows the life of an unnamed, elderly man who reflects on his past life, relationships, and the inevitability of death after dying of a heart attack during surgery, with the narrative revisiting key moments from his life, including his three marriages, health struggles, and search for meaning. Themes include stoicism amid suffering and the pursuit of vitality through relationships.

Philip Roth's Everyman is a compelling exploration of aging, mortality, and regret, earning praise for its poignant and reflective prose. Critics commend Roth’s unflinching honesty and vivid character portrayal. However, some find the narrative bleak and the protagonist unsympathetic. Overall, Roth's craftsmanship is evident, though the somber tone may not appeal to all readers.

Readers who appreciate introspective narratives on aging and mortality will enjoy Philip Roth's Everyman. If you like the existential depth of Saul Bellow's Herzog or the poignant reflections in Ian McEwan's Saturday, this novel will resonate with its sober contemplation of life's inevitable decline.

Melancholic / Contemplative / Dark / Emotional / Bittersweet

- Everyman is the first book Philip Roth published after winning the PEN/Nabokov Award for lifetime achievement in 2006.
- The novel's title, Everyman, is derived from a late 15th-century English morality play that also explores themes of death and the human condition.
- Philip Roth was inspired by the traditional medieval allegory to craft a modern take on the themes of life, morality, and mortality.

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