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The Plot Against America

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Philip Roth's 'The Plot Against America' is an alternative history novel that explores a world where Charles Lindbergh, a Nazi sympathizer, defeats Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election. The story follows a Jewish family living in Newark, primarily through the eyes of a young Philip Roth, as they navigate the rise of anti-Semitism and the consequences of Lindbergh's presidency. The writing style is described as compelling, with long but readable sentences that present an altered reality that is both familiar and chilling.

Characters:

The characters are vividly drawn, with their reactions to Lindbergh's presidency exploring a range of perspectives within the Jewish community.

Writing/Prose:

Roth's writing is rich and layered, combining a child's innocent perspective with profound political insights, creating a unique narrative style.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative depicts an alternate reality in America where Charles Lindbergh's presidency leads to increased anti-Semitism and political turmoil, viewed through the eyes of a Jewish family in Newark.

Setting:

The setting of Newark in the early 1940s is crucial, offering a backdrop of historical and cultural significance that shapes the characters' experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing varies throughout the novel, with an initial focus on character and community that shifts to heightened tension, but it ultimately leads to a hurried conclusion.
Fear presides over these memories, a perpetual fear. Of course no childhood is without its terrors, yet I wonder if I would have been a less frightened boy if Lindbergh hadn't been president or if I h...

Notes:

Philip Roth's The Plot Against America is an alternate historical novel.
In this novel, Charles Lindbergh, an aviator and Nazi sympathizer, defeats Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 election.
The story is narrated from the perspective of a young Jewish boy named Philip Roth, reflecting Roth's own childhood experiences.
The novel explores themes of anti-Semitism and the impacts of political changes on a Jewish family living in Newark, New Jersey.
The book discusses the rise of fascism and isolationism in America during the lead-up to World War II.
Roth uses real historical figures like Walter Winchell, Fiorello La Guardia, and others, blending them into a fictional narrative.
One subplot involves the creation of the Office of American Absorption, which aims to integrate Jewish Americans into rural America.
The novel includes events that mirror real historical incidents, such as anti-Semitic riots and public sentiments that reflect today's political climate.
The ending has been criticized for being abrupt and not tying up the narrative satisfactorily, but effectively showcases Roth's commentary on history and human reaction.
The book raises questions about the fragility of democracy and the ease with which societies can slip into oppressive regimes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of antisemitism, fascism, violence against minority communities, and political oppression.

From The Publisher:

Philip Roth's bestselling alternate history novel-the chilling story of what happens to one family when America elects a charismatic, isolationist president-is now an HBO limited series.

In an extraordinary feat of narrative invention, Philip Roth imagines an alternate history where Franklin D. Roosevelt loses the 1940 presidential election to heroic aviator and rabid isolationist Charles A. Lindbergh. Shortly thereafter, Lindbergh negotiates a cordial "understanding" with Adolf Hitler, while the new government embarks on a program of folksy anti-Semitism.

For one boy growing up in Newark, Lindbergh's election is the first in a series of ruptures that threaten to destroy his small, safe corner of America-and with it, his mother, his father, and his older brother.

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About the Author:

In 1997 Philip Roth won the Pulitzer Prize for American Pastoral. In 1998 he received the National Medal of Arts at the White House and in 2002 the highest award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Gold…

 
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