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Article: The Long Sleep; After 40 Years Of Penned Up Thoughts, Henry Roth Writes Again
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 25, 1987
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The paparazzi were waiting when 81-year-old Henry Roth flew from
Albuquerque to Percoto to accept Italy's literary award, the Premio
Nonio. The reception somewhat overwhelmed the writer, who is
notoriously publicity-shy, and his wife, composer Muriel Roth.
Reporters had even staked out the Roths' hotel.
Roth's reputation might be obscure in the United States, but
every newspaper and magazine in Italy wantedcoverage of the author of
"Chiamalo Sonno"-"Call It Sleep"-a 1934 autobiographical novel about
an Austrian-Jewish immigrant boy. And the Italians appreciated the
personal renaissance of a man who had grappled with writer's block
for 40 years.
Roth's doctor had warned him the trip last ...