(Image source from: MSN.com)

New York:
Philip Roth, 85, an American novel writer who wrote about male lust, Jewish life and America died due to congestive heart failure Tuesday night in New York.

His works included American Pastoral, I Married a Communist and Portnoy’s Complaint. Roth’s first short story collection, Goodbye Columbus was published in 1959 whereas a decade later made him a celebrity in United States with his novel, Portony’s Complaint.

Later in his life he wrote numerous highly regarded historical novels, including American Pastoral for which is won his Pulitzer. Before ending his fiction career he published more than 30 books.

When Roth won the 2011 Man Booker International, chairman of the judges Rick Gekoski said: "His career is remarkable in that he starts at such a high level, and keeps getting better. In his 50s and 60s, when most novelists are in decline, he wrote a string of novels of the highest, enduring quality."

He also added that Roth’s win divided the Man Booker International Panel causing one judge to quit the protest.

"I can recall few of his novels that don't provoke an occasional but overwhelming desire to shout 'Will you shut up!' at a character or his author," he said.

Roth was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 19, 1933. He got his Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1955. Later his graduation he entered in the Army but was discharged after he suffered a back injury. He returned to Chicago alma mater, where he first wrote his fiction.

By Sowmya Sangam