Author Philip Roth Says He Is Done Writing Fiction

Posted on March 1, 2014

Author Philip Roth says he is done writing fiction in an interview with Stanford University's The Book Haven. This is the second time he has said he is finished writing fiction. Roth has penned over two dozen novels in his career, including American Pastoral, which won the Pulitzer Prize, and The Human Stain which won the WH Smith Literary Award. He has also won the PEN/Faulkner award, Man Booker International Prize, National Book Award and many other literary honors.

In the interview, Cynthia Haven of The Book Haven, asks Roth, "You told Tina Brown in 2009, 'I wouldn't mind writing a long book which is going to occupy me for the rest of my life.' Yet, in 2012, you said emphatically that you were done with fiction. We can't bring ourselves to believe you've completely stopped writing. Do you really think your talent will let you quit?"

Roth says, "Well, you better believe me, because I haven't written a word of fiction since 2009. I have no desire to write fiction. I did what I did and it's done. There's more to life than writing and publishing fiction. There is another way entirely, amazed as I am to discover it at this late date."

Roth also mentioned what he does with his day now that he is not writing fiction. It sound like he is enjoying his retirement. Roth says, "I swim, I follow baseball, look at the scenery, watch a few movies, listen to music, eat well and see friends. In the country I am keen on nature. Barely time left for a continuing preoccupation with aging, writing, sex and death. By the end of the day I am too fatigued."