Book · 2019
Portnoy's Complaint
Special Archive Edition
- mentions
- 4
- people
- 3
- podcasts
- 3
- episodes
- 4
- recommendation
- 1
Two of my favorite books of the you know when I was sort of coming of age poor noise complaint by Philip Roth and Bonfire the Vanities by Tom Wolf both are horrendous films unwatchable.
Harlan Coben · How I Write · Sep 2026 Listen at 28:28 Where and when it comes up
Most mentions, by podcast
Why people recommend it
Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth is a groundbreaking, highly controversial coming-of-age novel that dives deeply into the psychological and sexual anxieties of its neurotic protagonist, Alexander Portnoy. Harlan Coben named the novel on How I Write as one of his favorite books from his formative years, noting that it served as an impactful coming-of-age story despite the poorly received film adaptation. Daniel Coyle discussed the novel on EconTalk while describing a psychological experiment where a living space was meticulously retrofitted to match the year 1959, complete with period props like a copy of Roth's book. On The Book Review, Tony Scott mentioned the novel to trace Philip Roth's literary evolution and career trajectory between his earlier and later publications. Additionally, Blake Bailey appeared on The Book Review to discuss his biographical work on Roth, noting that the author frequently expressed regret over publishing the book because it unfairly cemented his public reputation as an unserious person.
Every mention
Harlan Coben two of my favorite books of the you know when I was sort of coming of age poor noise complaint by Philip Ro… 1
“two of my favorite books of the you know when I was sort of coming of age poor noise complaint by Philip Roth and Bonfire the Vanities by Tom Wolf both are horrendous films unwatchable”
Blake Bailey Philip always said I wish I'd never published por noise complaint because Ever After People thought I was t… 1
“Philip always said I wish I'd never published por noise complaint because Ever After People thought I was this unserious jerk off artist”
Daniel Coyle She took an old monastery and retrofitted it so that everything in it was from 1959 as if you know the Dean… 1
“She took an old monastery and retrofitted it so that everything in it was from 1959 as if you know the Dean Martin records and a copy of Port Noise Complaint and all the furnishings...”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker1
“the two novels between goodbye Columbus and por no's complaint when she was good and and letting go are sort of his buttoned up respectable literary”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (3: passing, ad reads, own books)
“and um Po's complaint guy yeah”
“there are strong similarities between Michael coring and an Alexander pornoy”
“and he wrote when she was good and he found himself again with with por Noy's complaint”