Discover books similar to "American Pastoral"
Philip Roth
American Pastoral
3.93
Part of "The American Trilogy" series
"American Pastoral" is a powerful and poignant novel by Philip Roth that explores the complexities of the American Dream and the devastating impact of political upheaval on individual lives. The story revolves around Seymour "Swede" Levov, a Jewish-American athlete and businessman who seems to have it all - a loving family, a successful glove-making business, and a beautiful home in Old Rimrock, New Jersey. However, his idyllic life is shattered when his daughter, Merry, becomes a radical activist and bombs a post office, killing a bystander. The novel delves into the Swede's struggle to come to terms with his daughter's actions and the unraveling of his own American Dream. Roth masterfully portrays the Swede's inner turmoil, as he grapples with his love for his daughter, his anger at her actions, and his disillusionment with the country he once believed in. The novel also explores the broader social and political context of the time, including the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the rise of political radicalism. "American Pastoral" is a profound and thought-provoking examination of the human condition, exploring themes of identity, family, politics, and the American Dream. Roth's prose is rich and evocative, bringing the characters and setting to life in vivid detail. The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in 20th-century American literature and the complexities of the human experience. Overall, "American Pastoral" is a powerful and moving novel that will leave a lasting impression on readers. Its exploration of the American Dream and the impact of political upheaval on individual lives is as relevant today as it was when the novel was first published in 1997. Roth's masterful storytelling and rich prose make this a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature...
List of books similar to "American Pastoral":
Philip Roth
The Human Stain
A powerful novel about three entwined lives in post-World War II America, exploring the themes of identity, shame, and the destructive potential of secrets. Like 'American Pastoral', it delves into the American dream and its discontents, showcasing Roth's mastery of language and character development.
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Philip Roth
Sabbath's Theater
A provocative and darkly comic novel about a retired Jewish theater director who looks back on his life of scandal and excess. This book, like 'American Pastoral', features a complex and flawed protagonist grappling with his past and the cultural expectations of his community.
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Philip Roth
The Plot Against America
An alternate history novel in which Charles Lindbergh wins the 1940 presidential election and pursues anti-Semitic policies. Like 'American Pastoral', it explores the fragility of American democracy and the destructive potential of prejudice and fear.
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Jonathan Franzen
The Corrections
A sweeping family saga that follows the lives of the Lambert family as they navigate the challenges of modern life. Like 'American Pastoral', it explores themes of family, identity, and the American dream, and features richly drawn characters and sharp social commentary.
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Jeffrey Eugenides
The Marriage Plot
A novel that explores the lives of three Brown University graduates as they navigate love, literature, and mental illness. Like 'American Pastoral', it features complex characters grappling with the expectations of their families and communities, and the search for meaning and purpose in life.
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Jeffrey Eugenides
Middlesex
A sweeping family saga that follows the life of Calliope Stephanides, a hermaphrodite, from her grandparents' escape from the Turkish genocide to her own coming-of-age in America. Like 'American Pastoral', it explores themes of identity, family, and the American dream, and features richly drawn characters and sharp social commentary.
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Michael Cunningham
The Hours
A novel that explores the lives of three women connected by Virginia Woolf's novel 'Mrs. Dalloway'. Like 'American Pastoral', it delves into the complexities of identity, mental illness, and the search for meaning and purpose in life, and features richly drawn characters and poetic prose.
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Ian McEwan
Atonement
A novel that explores the consequences of a young girl's false accusation and the lifelong impact it has on those involved. Like 'American Pastoral', it delves into the themes of guilt, shame, and the destructive potential of secrets, and features richly drawn characters and a powerful narrative.
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Ian McEwan
On Chesil Beach
A novella that explores the consequences of a newlywed couple's inability to consummate their marriage. Like 'American Pastoral', it delves into the themes of sexuality, shame, and the fragility of human relationships, and features richly drawn characters and a powerful narrative.
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Claire Messud
The Emperor's Children
A novel that explores the lives of three Brown University graduates as they navigate love, ambition, and the challenges of post-9/11 New York City. Like 'American Pastoral', it delves into the complexities of identity, family, and the American dream, and features richly drawn characters and sharp social commentary.
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