American Pastoral
by Philip Roth

Read July 2007
Copy borrowed from M.
Essay written October 6th, 2007

I've tried reading Philip Roth a couple of times before. The Plot Against America recently, gave it up, too preachy. And a few years ago something else that I don't even remember now what it was, it could've even been the subject of this essay, American Pastoral.

I have nothing against Jews, mind you. And I'll bet there are plenty of Jewish writers that I've read and enjoyed, although I can't think of them off the top of my head. But Philip Roth seems pretty obsessed with being Jewish. And maybe that's fine, maybe his audience is Jewish people, who would find this more interesting. But it kind of bores me.

The story with the daughter as terrorist and disappearing and all that happens was remotely interesting. But not quite worth the price of admission, if you ask me. I think I only read this all the way through because my friend loaned it to me with glowing praise. It reminded me of Joseph Heller's Something Happened, in which nothing did.

There was a scene in The Plot Against America before I quit reading it that sums up my opinion of Philip Roth. The family is considering moving to some upscale community, but it's mostly gentile. They're driving around and come upon a park where there's a beer garden. The scene is not unlike the stereotypical Oktoberfest you might imagine. But this was in New Jersey, in the 1930s. Anyway, the family sees it and is mortified by this shocking display of anti-Semitism and decides not to move there.

I can't say what the general attitude of New Jersians was towards Jews before World War 2, but this seemed pretty over the top to me. Maybe it's just that I can't relate to that time and place, but I felt like the family wasn't giving the place a chance. Maybe they would have been welcomed with open arms.

I quit reading it shortly after that. I was left with a feeling that Philip Roth wanted to be discriminated against. I willingly accept that this may just be my own misinterpretation. But nevertheless, there it is, and it doesn't make for good reading to me.

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