The Human Stain

Date Posted: 09.23.07

Wow...

I believe that this is an important book.

There are books that are beautiful, moving, educational, evocative, stimulating, motivating or just plain fun, but there are not so many books that I would characterize as important. I am not even sure I can explain what it is that defines an important book. I need to think about it more to put it into words. That might make a good topic for another day. I don't know how to explain it but I will identify it. The Human Stain is important.

The Human Stain by Philip Roth is the story of prominent Classics professor Coleman Silk. His professional is defamed by the political machine of Athena University. This begins when an innocent comment is perceived as racism. This is ironic since Coleman silk is actually a black man who has lived as a white Jew since his mid twenties.

The reputation of Coleman Silk is further denigrated when he chooses to take a 34 year old, illiterate, cleaning woman named Faunia Farley as his mistress. This enrages the straight-laced, manipulative academic society personified by French-born Professor Roux. It also draws the undesirable attention of the psychologically traumatized ex-husband Les Farley.

The story chronicles the social history of the united states from World War II to the impeachment of President Clinton. It is an ironic and often biting piece of literature that draws attention to the various hypocricies of social propriety. It explores the definition of self and the ethics of love, lust, passion and hate.

Ultimately, Less Farley causes the death of Coleman Silk and Faunia Farley. The society and family are forced to come to terms with actions and reactions. It is a painful confrontation with truth. The book ends in a cathartic moment of intensity that the author titles "The Purifying Ritual." The title is apt.

The vocabulary and structure are complex. The words are sculpted beautifully. Every word matters. There is nothing to skip, nothing to dismiss. Every other page I found something I wanted to read aloud, experience again or go tell someone about.

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