Sabbath's Theater: Philip Roth’s Wildest Book

Philip Roth's Sabbath's Theater is his masterwork--maybe. In choosing it as her favorite Roth, novelist and critic Claire Messud, author of The Emperor’s Children, said that, "The novel, outrageous when it was first published is all but inconceivable today." The book follows Mickey Sabbath, a disgraced puppeteer in late middle age, as he careens through grief, lust, memory, and self-destruction with almost no filter and even less restraint. It's at times deeply lyrical and at times deeply lewd, sometimes stream-of-consciousness and sometimes scenic, very long and equally controversial. Which means it's rarely taught in schools or discussed in reading groups. Together, we are going to dive in to this work of complicated genius. 

*We encourage you to read the first two chapters before class if you can—they’re dense, daring, and packed with everything Roth does best (and worst). But don’t worry if you don’t get to them; you’ll still be able to jump into the conversation.

You can purchase a copy and support a local bookstore here.

Courtney Sender is the author of In Other Lifetimes All I've Lost Comes Back to Me, called "deep and howling" by the Boston Globe. She has taught fiction writing at MIT, Tufts, Yale, and many others. She is the author and host of The Craft Lab for Writers newsletter and podcast, and she leads The Lab group for writers who are seeking inspiration, accountability, and personalized guidance at all stages of their careers.

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Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.