I Married a Communist - Definition and Overview

I Married A Communist is a Philip Roth novel concerning the rise and fall of Ira Ringold, aka Iron Rinn. The story is narrated by Nathan Zuckerman, and is one of a trio of Zuckerman novels Roth wrote in the 1990s depicting the postwar history of Newark, New Jersey and its residents.

Ira and his brother Murray serve as two immense influences on the school-age Zuckerman, and the story is told as a contemporary reminiscence between Murray and Nathan on Ira's life. Although an communist, Ira became a star in radio theater. Personal conflicts with his wife, McCarthy-ite politicians, a gossip columnist, and his conniving wife all combine to destroy Ira and many of those around him.

Many consider the character of Eve Frame — the evil, anti-Semitic wife who destroys Ira — to be a thinly veiled riposte at Roth's ex-wife, Claire Bloom, for her unflattering memoirs.