I love reading stories of the American experience and Philip Roth continues to be one of my favorite at telling those stories. This is another of his books that expertly weaves in a fictional life as part of the historical narrative of the USA. I felt as if I was on that porch listening to Murray Ringold tell the captivating story and didn't want him stop for rest for either of us as well. The phrase from the book that feels the best life advice to me - "Beware the utopia of isolation."