作者:菲利普.罗斯
内容简介:
该书主要讲述了一种令人身心失调的病症对患者造成痛苦折磨的故事。
医生,我这是什么病呢?
波特诺伊滔滔不绝地向他的精神科医师独白自己的家庭背景。他忆起从小到大所面临的困境,父亲望子成龙的期待、母亲的溺爱……极端的欲望让他透过各种「创意」的方法寻求释放,却带给他极大的羞耻感,并且对自我价值的荒谬命运感到困窘。
波特诺伊的怨诉,病症为心中强烈道德感和利他冲动,患者通常为性格乖僻者。
试读
每逢她要求我把白天幼儿园里的一切都告诉她的时候,我总是小心翼翼,乖乖照办。我不会装作理解她那无处不在的暗示,但是这肯定和她要搞清楚我以为她不在场时是个什么样的孩子有关——这一点毫无疑问。这种想象(以这种特殊的形式)一直延续到我上小学一年级,而它所造成的结果之一,就是我成了个诚实的孩子,因为我知道自己别无选择。
啊,还是个非常聪颖的孩子。每次讲到我那位脸色蜡黄、身材过胖的姐姐,母亲都会说(当着汉娜的面也一样——诚实也是她的处世之道):“这孩子没什么天分,不过我们也不指望那种没影儿的事儿。愿上帝保佑她,她还算用功,尽了自己的力,所以拿什么成绩都没关系。”讲到我,她那埃及人长鼻子和能言善辩、喋喋不休的嘴巴的继承者,母亲则会带着她特有的克制说:“这个小土匪(1)?他甚至用不着翻书——门门功课都是A。简直是爱因斯坦再世!”
书评:
《波特诺伊的怨诉》是一部令人深思的小说,探讨了宣传、恐惧和偏见对个人和社会的影响,以及权力者如何轻易地操纵和欺骗人们的现实。它强调了对不公正的发声和为正义而奋斗的意义,即使这与主流观点相悖。
罗斯是一位才华横溢的故事讲述者,巧妙地将历史事件与虚构的人物融合在一起,营造出既引人注目又令人不寒而栗的写实感。他描绘了家庭关系的复杂性,以及少数族裔和宗教少数派在社会中所面临的困境,这些困境可能使他们在瞬间成为社会的受害者。
《波特诺伊的怨诉》是一部及时而发人深省的小说,引发了关于保护民主制度的脆弱性和警觉性的问题。它提醒我们警惕仇恨和偏见的危险,以及跨文化和社区之间同理心和理解的重要性。
Title: “The Plot Against America” / 《波特诺伊的怨诉》
Author: Philip Roth / 菲利普·罗斯
“The Plot Against America” is a novel written by Philip Roth that reimagines history by placing Charles Lindbergh, a well-known isolationist, in the presidency instead of Franklin D. Roosevelt, thus setting off a chain of events that lead to a fascist takeover of the United States. The story is told from the perspective of a young Jewish boy named Philip Roth, who lives in Newark, New Jersey, with his family.
The novel explores the impact of propaganda, fear, and prejudice on the individual and society, and how easily people can be manipulated and deceived by those in power. It highlights the importance of speaking out against injustice and standing up for what is right, even when it goes against the grain.
Roth is a gifted storyteller who skillfully weaves historical events with fictional characters, creating a sense of realism that is both chilling and fascinating. He portrays the complexities of family dynamics and the struggles that ethnic and religious minorities face in a society that can turn on them in an instant.
“The Plot Against America” is a timely and thought-provoking novel that raises questions about the fragility of democracy and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding our freedoms. It is an important reminder of the dangers of hate and intolerance, and the need for empathy and understanding across all cultures and communities.
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