You make a very good case for The Ghost Writer there, my concern primarily was embarking on another series when I’m part way through A Dance to the Music of Time, but it’s stand alone nature takes that concern away largely.

Thanks for the recommendation.

You know, Stewart, I’m not sure I’ve ever taken an author on from the beginning to the end – at least, not one who has written several books.

It’s something I’ve been wanting to do with my blog, but other books continue to pop up. Although I’ve read a number of John Steinbecks, I’ve started from the start there too with Cup Of Gold. Same goes for Jim Crace, Cormac McCarthy, and, one day, Saul Bellow. To my mind, starting at the beginning is when they were still learning the ropes, so to speak, and should hopefully offer an in to their ideas, themes, and style.

Does anyone have any suggestions for other authors who are particularly suited to being read from first book to last consecutively?

I actually think that The Ghost Writer is the perfect start to a long relationship with Roth.

I’m taking a different tack: reading his output in consecutive order. Granted, I’ve ony read his first one, Goodbye, Columbus, which comes bundled, as far as I know, with the only published Roth short stories. Next up, after the Booker longlist is polished off, will be Letting Go, his longest novel at over six hundred pages.

Even though it is the first book in a series, all of the books stand alone. You could read The Ghost Writer this year and then revisit Zuckerman, like an old acquaintance, in a year or two when he’s worked out some things and become famous. Then a few years later, visit him in his middle-aged pain. Or you could even read them out of order, I’ve heard.

The Ghost Writer doesn’t call for a sequel either. It has a very fulfilling ending that I love thinking about. Furthermore, I think because in a way the book takes Roth himself back to the beginning it also introduces the rest of Roth’s work (much – most – of which I still have to read). And if that doesn’t encourage you, each book is short, with fairly large type, and the prose is smooth as can be, easy to slide right through.

But if the story doesn’t appeal, Roth has an award-winning record like no other author. He has plenty of excellent books out there, with great stories, stunning literary pyrotechnics, and nuanced motifs that delight and haunt.

I wouldn’t recommend starting with Everyman. As great as that book was, I think it would have been more fulfilling had I read it after knowing Roth’s work better. I loved it, but it didn’t tell me to go read the rest of his books. The Ghost Writer did.

I look forward to your comments about Roth when that day comes!

I don’t know Roth particularly, is there one you’d recommend which requires a bit less commitment than the start of a four part series?

I haven’t read American Pastoral yet, but several people, and now you, have given me trusted opinions about it – I’ll have to visit it soon! Any rants in it?