Author Roth star of N.J. museum tour

NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Pulitzer Prize-winning author Philip Roth said he took part in the "Philip Roth Tour" as part of his return to his hometown of Newark, N.J.

The (Newark) New Jersey Star-Ledger said Sunday the 76-year-old author of "American Pastoral" and "The Human Stain" participated in the bus tour Saturday for a group of Weequahic High graduates celebrating their 50th reunion.

"As you get older, you get closer to home," Roth said.

Liz Del Tufo, who created the bus tour in honor of Roth, said the writer was particularly touched by an official marker placed outside his childhood home.

"He said, 'Newark is my Stockholm and that plaque is my prize' referring to the Nobel Prize he should have won by now," Del Tufo said.

"I think I've always been close, but these public things are very gratifying. It's great," Roth told the newspaper.