The Longtime Connecticut Retreat of American Novelist Philip Roth Lists for $2.9M

The late Pulitzer Prize–winning author wrote some of his best-known works in a cottage on the 150-acre property, which also includes a 1790s colonial home.

Text by

Kathryn M.

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The former home and writing retreat of renowned author Philip Roth is now available for sale in Warren, Connecticut, a rural town about two hours north of New York City. Encompassing almost 150 acres, Roth purchased the secluded property in the 1970s and reportedly penned several of his most well-known works there, including the novel American Pastoral, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1997.

A mowed path leads up to the circa 1790s main residence. Wild meadows, lush orchards, and scattered ponds are just a few of the inspiring features to be found on the historic property.

Roth, who died in 2018, was one of the most awarded authors of his generation, having completed more than 20 novels and numerous short stories. He first gained attention around 1960 with the now-classic fictional collection Goodbye, Columbus, which, along with several of Roth's other works, was later adapted as a film. Roth owned this Connecticut estate for most of his career and spent long stretches of time writing in a small wooden cabin on the property.

The three-bedroom clapboard main house is placed in an idyllic setting on the property. The large, Colonial-style home utilizes a center hall plan common in many homes of its era.

Nestled within a clearing, the main residence is a Colonial-style home, which records show was originally built by Benjamin Carter, a member of a founding family of the town of Warren. The two-story house offers three bedrooms and an equal number of fireplaces, along with original wide-plank hardwood floors and a vaulted great room. The rustic location was Roth's retreat from life in New York City but did serve as a permanent home from 1996-2001.

An exterior view of the home showing the great room off to one side. Small steps lead down from a retaining wall to another section of the picturesque lawn.

A look inside the great room, with its walls of windows and doors, fieldstone flooring, and timber-beamed ceiling.

Other parts of the interior still contain some of Roth's personal possessions, including his extensive book collection, which is not included in the sale. Other properties in Roth's estate included his Manhattan apartment, which was listed and sold earlier this year.

The main entrance opens up directly onto a central staircase, a feature of the central hall plan typical of homes of this era.

A bright living area features several windows and one of three wood-burning fireplaces, as well wide-plank hardwood flooring. Built-ins along one wall still contain Roth's personal book collection, which will be sold or donated separately.

A small den contains more space for books, as well as a wood-burning fireplace.

A look at one of three bedrooms. This one offers windows along both sides and yet another large built-in bookcase.

Not far from the main residence sits a small wooden cottage. Sometimes when visiting the property Roth would stay exclusively in the small annex in order to focus on his writing.

A closer view of Roth's writing hideaway, where he reportedly penned several of his works.

Inside, the cozy space features a wood-burning stone fireplace and wood paneling, as well as kitchenette and full bath.

Other parts of the expansive property contain an antique barn and an in-ground swimming pool nestled underneath a canopy of old-growth trees. Additional discoveries include scattered pastures, orchards, and ponds, all of which are separated by wooded areas and mossy stone walls.