Friends in Focus, 2020

“ … in the final stages of writing a novel, Roth likes to get as much criticism and response as he can from a few interested readers.”6

This collection consists primarily of photocopies of draft manuscripts — written by American writer Philip Roth — which Roth sent to his long-time friend Joel Conarroe over the course of 26 years. Many of the drafts were heavily edited by Roth. Some of the drafts include a few comments, questions or edits by Conarroe. In this collection drafts and typescripts of The Anatomy Lesson, and drafts of The Ghostwriter and chapter 1 of Sabbath’s Theater are the most heavily edited.

Also included in the collection are several brief notes from Roth to Conarroe that accompanied drafts of three works:

The Anatomy Lesson January 1983: These are sketches for revised ending. Chapters 4 and 5. (replaces old 4, 5, and 6) In addition: remove, in chapter 3, from paragraph 2 of 3-29 to bottom of 3-38. (All brother material goes.) In addition insert chapter 3, page 3-19-3-20 enclosed. (Box 1, Folder 10) March 1983: Any questions, speak with Veronica Geng. This is edited version I plan to take back to London to use to finish up. All corrections and changes stand. (Box 1, Folder 15)

I Married a Communist: Mistake. Please remove and destroy pages 31-53 of the Chapter 7 I sent you. Replace with pages 31-50 of Chapter 7 that are enclosed. (Box 3, Folder 9)

Patrimony. Feb. 6, 1989: Dear Joel: Would you put these pages with the last draft of the ms. I sent you. No need to insert them; just put this envelope with the other. I don’t want to have the only copy. Yours,” (Box 3, Folder 11) Feb. 8, 1989: Dear Joel: Please put this envelope with the others, alongside the ms. of Patrimony. Philip (Box 3, Folder 12)

Philip Roth-related artifacts in the collection include one black T-shirt (size large with image of inaugural Yaddo Artist Medal given to Philip Roth in 2014) and 2 buttons (Philip Roth at 80).

6. Lee, Hermione. “Philip Roth, The Art of Fiction, N. 84.” The Paris Review Issue 93, Fall 1984. Web, March 2017.