I note with sadness the passing of Philip Roth at 85 the great American writer of some of the most influential novels on me as a younger man, the scandalous Portnoy's Complaint, American Pastoral and Goodbye Columbus. I am minded he was married to the iridescent Claire Bloom which always impressed me! 

Roth 1933 -2018

He was also a lifelong friend of the great artist R.B.Kitaj 

R.B.Kitaj and Philip Roth in Kitaj's studio 

Portrait of Philip Roth - R.B. Kitaj Charcoal on handmade paper.1985