47 pages • 1 hour read
American Pastoral
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Book Brief
432
Novel • Fiction
New Jersey • 1960s
1997
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In American Pastoral, Nathan Zuckerman recounts the life of Seymour "the Swede" Levov, a Jewish man who seemingly embodies the American dream with a successful business, a beautiful home, and a family. However, his idyllic life unravels when his daughter Merry becomes radicalized against the Vietnam War, bombings a post office, causing immense family turmoil and exposing underlying tragedies. The story includes themes of radicalism, violence, and the disintegration of idealized success.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Dark
Challenging
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
87,240 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Philip Roth's American Pastoral is widely praised for its deep exploration of postwar American life, complex characterizations, and masterful narrative style. Some readers, however, find the pacing sluggish and the prose occasionally overindulgent. Despite these critiques, it remains a compelling and thought-provoking novel, earning its place as a modern classic.
Who Should Read American Pastoral?
A reader who would enjoy American Pastoral by Philip Roth is likely an enthusiast of complex, character-driven narratives that explore the American Dream and post-war societal tensions. Fans of Saul Bellow’s Herzog and Don DeLillo’s Underworld will appreciate Roth's incisive examination of family, identity, and cultural upheaval.
87,240 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
432
Novel • Fiction
New Jersey • 1960s
1997
Adult
18+ years
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