Book Review: “American Pastoral” by Philip Roth

“American Pastoral” is the first book I’ve read by Philip Roth. At just over 400 pages, this Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel feels longer than its page count, and proved to be a particularly slow read for me. While there are some interesting reflections on the human condition, the book focuses on small elements of story in hopes of illuminating larger themes, with mixed results.

The novel is framed as a story written by aging novelist Nathan Zuckerman. Zuckerman reflects on a local legend of his neighborhood growing up, the tremendously gifted athlete Seymour “Swede” Levov. Zuckerman then goes on to imagine the life that the Swede lived beyond closed doors. At this point the novel switches over to the Swede’s perspective. This telling of the Swede’s life and examination of his struggles makes up the bulk of the novel.

The Swede is a successful Jewish-American businessman living in New Jersey, and he is one of those people that seems to move through life effortlessly. As the novel takes us into the mind of the Swede, Philip Roth examines the idea that no life, regardless of how it may appear to outside observers, is free of struggle and suffering.

The Swede does everything by the books, runs a successful business, has a happy marriage and a child that he spoils and loves. His life falls into disarray as his rebellious teenage daughter sets off a bomb in protest of the war in Vietnam. What unfolds is an examination into the chaos inherent in living. As much as the Swede has tried to carefully plan out every facet of his life, there are simply too many uncontrollable and cruel elements of living that are unavoidable.

Quote of the Book:

“He had learned the worst lesson that life can teach — that it makes no sense.”

Overall: An interesting read that examines the ideals of the Baby boomer generation and suburbia. I feel like the pacing could have been a little better, but was happy that I read this novel.