American Pastoral
by Philip Roth
Finished listening to another favorite book. I have noticed a higher percentage of RA’s
sharing new books (42% of those I am meeting compared to 36% last year). Today I finished American Pastoral by Philip Roth. Roth uses his ‘alter ego’ from
previous stories, Nathan Zuckerman, an author, as the narrator of the
story. Zuckerman begins his story by
meeting a classmate (Jerry Luvov) at their 45th high school
reunion. Jerry shares the story of his brother,
Seymour “Swede” Luvov, whose nickname comes from his great looks and athletic
build. Swede is a star athlete and
inherited the family business, a baseball glove-making factory. Jerry shares the tragic story of Swede’s life.
Swede was married to a state beauty contest winner and
Princeton graduate and had a daughter, Merry (short for Meredith). The Swede and his wife had different religious
affiliations (Swede, Jewish & Sylvia, Catholic), which may have played a
part in Merry’s confused state. Merry
had a horrible stutter and later became an anti-Vietnam warrior. At age 16 she made a bomb and blew up a local
building, which killed one innocent person.
Merry ran away and, five years later, her father found her and
discovered she was the culprit in the bombing.
Swede was supposed to live a perfect life – instead, his daughter blows
up a building and his wife has an affair with their doctor, who apparently also
helped Merry evade the law after the bombing.
The story is told after the Swede has died with Nathan reliving all the
moments through Jerry. A rather lively
story, especially as told through the voice of a true NY Jewish man, which I
loved! Compelling story, great action,
and the unveiling of a man who really deserved better than what he got from his
wife and daughter, and who dies at 68 from prostate cancer. Loved the twist at the end of the story of why
and how the Swede’s father died. It all
comes together. Exceedingly well written
and holds the reader in interest throughout.
Great book!
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