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Anne 's Reviews > The Plot Against America
The Plot Against America
by
by
Anne 's review
bookshelves: 1001-books, jewish, 2023, ww2
Dec 04, 2009
bookshelves: 1001-books, jewish, 2023, ww2
Read 2 times. Last read March 6, 2023 to March 7, 2023.
“--nor had I understood til then how the shameless vanity of utter fools can so strongly determine the fate of others”
― Philip Roth, The Plot Against America
The first time I read this book in 2009 the alternative history portrayed seemed safely implausible. On this latest reading these events seem all too believable. Except for a faltering ending this is a fantastic novel. Roth’s writing is impeccable. The slow rise of Fascism in America under the administration of a right winged Republican presidency at the beginning of WWII felt like a continuation of the Trump administration. Roth does an excellent job conveying how familial ties are increasingly strained in a lower middle class Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey during a time of building political tension. All of this is shown through the eyes of the youngest member of this family who doesn't fully understand what is going on around him.
Ron Silver, the audiobook narrator is excellent.
― Philip Roth, The Plot Against America
The first time I read this book in 2009 the alternative history portrayed seemed safely implausible. On this latest reading these events seem all too believable. Except for a faltering ending this is a fantastic novel. Roth’s writing is impeccable. The slow rise of Fascism in America under the administration of a right winged Republican presidency at the beginning of WWII felt like a continuation of the Trump administration. Roth does an excellent job conveying how familial ties are increasingly strained in a lower middle class Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey during a time of building political tension. All of this is shown through the eyes of the youngest member of this family who doesn't fully understand what is going on around him.
Ron Silver, the audiobook narrator is excellent.
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Quotes Anne Liked
“--nor had I understood til then how the shameless vanity of utter fools can so strongly determine the fate of others”
― The Plot Against America
― The Plot Against America
Reading Progress
Finished Reading
December 4, 2009
– Shelved
April 22, 2011
– Shelved as:
1001-books
July 2, 2011
– Shelved as:
jewish
March 6, 2023
–
Started Reading
March 6, 2023
– Shelved as:
2023
March 6, 2023
– Shelved as:
ww2
March 7, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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Mar 07, 2023 07:29AM
Good grief, excellent reminder I must read this before the elections in this small country make it all too depressing to read it. Superb review Anne.
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Ilse wrote: "Good grief, excellent reminder I must read this before the elections in this small country make it all too depressing to read it. Superb review Anne."Thanks so much, Ilse. It is a mixed bag of excellent writing and depressing plausibility.
Fine review, Anne. I do not usually read alternate history but this book was special. I was enthralled by how Roth made it believable and his writing is top drawer. Somewhat prescient as well!
love this book, audiobook. Will listen a third time in the next year or so.
Jill, I don’t read alternate history either but I watched the tv adaptation which was great so moved on to the book. Extremely prescient.
Nelly bells, I’ll probably read it again one day too.
Apparently this re-read has stood the test of time - unfortunately. I’ve had this on my tbr for awhile so I guess I need to get crackin’.
I haven’t read this one, Anne, but I watched the series which I thought quite excellent. Wonderful review!
Judith wrote: "Apparently this re-read has stood the test of time - unfortunately. I’ve had this on my tbr for awhile so I guess I need to get crackin’."Unfortunately is right, Judith. Listening to it was a mixed experience of enjoying the book but realizing how easily this could have or could still happen.
Antoinette wrote: "I haven’t read this one, Anne, but I watched the series which I thought quite excellent. Wonderful review!"I loved the series a lot. Like the book it did a really good job portraying Newark and the "Roth" family. The book has a few more details and you can see where the series took liberties but both the series and the book have a problem ending the story. The final 10% or so read like, this happened and then this, then this, etc etc. Would have been 5 stars otherwise.
I don't want to reread it but I wonder if I'd also see its story differently.
Isn't Roth a good writer Anne?? I've only read one of his and you've given me a kick up the bum to read another one - great review!
Great review Anne, I’ve picked this book up recently in addition to another one of his but not read any yet, looking forward to picking up eventually. 📚💕
Excellent review, Anne! Roth’s portrayal of how politics can affect ordinary lives was realistic. It was chilling only because the plot’s location was the US, but all has happened in one way or another all over the world. In fact, it has never ceased happening…
Isn't it amazing how much we are reminded of Trump when we read things like this?
Mark wrote: "Isn't Roth a good writer Anne?? I've only read one of his and you've given me a kick up the bum to read another one - great review!"Oops. So sorry pal. I didn't mean to kick you. But yes, I generally love Roth's writing. I was a huge fan many years ago. I wonder what you will think of his novels. Not everyone is a fan.
Diane wrote: "Isn't it amazing how much we are reminded of Trump when we read things like this?"Absolutely, Diane. The way Roth portrays the slow insinuation of Fascism in America is very similar to what I've read about Hitler's rise to power. Frightening, really.
Violeta wrote: "Excellent review, Anne! Roth’s portrayal of how politics can affect ordinary lives was realistic. It was chilling only because the plot’s location was the US, but all has happened in one way or ano..."That's so true, Violeta. I was thinking of it from a very personal standpoint. Given Roth's scenario Things could have turned out very differently for me and my parents. I wouldn't exist nor would most of American Jewry.
Nice to find this interesting book by Roth, through your lovely write-up, Anne. Thanks for sharing it :)
Gaurav wrote: "Nice to find this interesting book by Roth, through your lovely write-up, Anne. Thanks for sharing it :)"This is a really good Roth, Gaurav. Enjoy.
Despite liking some of Roth's work, I put this one off for quite a while thinking it just didn't fit into what he did well. Boy, was I wrong. I thought this was just excellent, and it made me realize how talented he was.
Albert wrote: "Despite liking some of Roth's work, I put this one off for quite a while thinking it just didn't fit into what he did well. Boy, was I wrong. I thought this was just excellent, and it made me reali..."I did the exact same thing, Albert.
Roth had been getting more political towards the end, particularly with his American Trilogy, but this was unbelievably prescient.
Dennis wrote: "Roth had been getting more political towards the end, particularly with his American Trilogy, but this was unbelievably prescient."Agree!
