Episode 103: “A Pleasurable Disgust,” or Philip Roth’s Goodbye Columbus
About this episode
The episode discusses Philip Roth's novella 'Goodbye Columbus' and the complexities of its protagonist, Neil Klugman.
Roth's 1959 novella begins with an account of the protagonist, Neil Klugman watching the lovely Brenda swim while he holds her glasses. Immediately, we're transported to the poolside, and into Klugman's brain. But, is Klugman's brain worth visiting? Klugman is charming and manipulative, funny and arrogant. We watch him pursue Brenda, begin and relationship and (spoiler alert) predictably louse it up. The UMBs discuss the virtues in inhabiting the world of a bad person who doesn't improve.
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