Portnoy’s Complaint
by Philip Roth, Luca Marinelli
Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth, Luca Marinelli holds a well received rating of 3.69 out of 5, based on 35.9K reader ratings. First published in 1969. The book spans 274 pages.
About Portnoy's Complaint
The famous confession of Alexander Portnoy, who is thrust through life by his unappeasable sexuality, yet held back at the same time by the iron grip of his unforgettable childhood. Hilariously funny, boldly intimate, startlingly candid, Portnoy’s Complaint was an immediate bestseller upon its publication in 1969, and is perhaps Roth’s best-known book.Portnoy's Complaint n. [after Alexander Portnoy (1933-)] A disorder in which strongly-felt ethical and altruistic impulses are perpetually warring with extreme sexual longings, often of a perverse nature. Spielvogel says: 'Acts of exhibitionism, voyeurism, fetishism, auto-eroticism and oral coitus are plentiful; as a consequence of the patient's "morality," however, neither fantasy nor act issues in genuine sexual gratification, but rather in overriding feelings of shame and the dread of retribution, particularly in the form of castration.' (Spielvogel, O. 'The Puzzled Penis', Internationale Zeitschrift fur Psychoanalyse, Vol. XXIV, p. 909.) it is believed by Spielvogel that many of the symptoms can be traced to the bonds obtaining in the mother-child relationship.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip Roth, Luca Marinelli |
| Published | 1969 |
| Pages | 274 |
| Genres | Fiction, Classics, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.69 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 35,855 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Portnoy's Complaint?
Portnoy's Complaint is categorized as Fiction, Classics, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Classics.
Is Portnoy's Complaint worth reading?
Based on 35.9K reader ratings, Portnoy's Complaint has an average score of 3.69 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Portnoy's Complaint?
Portnoy's Complaint has 274 pages.
Who wrote Portnoy's Complaint?
Portnoy's Complaint was written by Philip Roth, Luca Marinelli. It was first published in 1969.
What is the ISBN for Portnoy's Complaint?
The ISBN-13 for Portnoy's Complaint is 9780099399020.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 22, 2026
