47 pages 1 hour read

Philip Roth

American Pastoral

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1997

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre
Historical Fiction
American Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
Topics
Relationships
History: U.S.
Themes
Relationships: Fathers
Relationships: Daughters & Sons
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice