The Plot Against America

by Philip Roth
The Plot Against America cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 604
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780099478560
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2005-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

The Plot Against America by Philip Roth is a gripping exploration of an alternate history where Charles Lindbergh, a renowned aviation hero and isolationist, defeats Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election. Lindbergh's presidency leads to a dark period for Jewish Americans, as he blames them for pushing the country towards war with Nazi Germany and negotiates with Adolf Hitler. The novel vividly recounts the experiences of Roth's own Newark family during these menacing years, highlighting the fear and uncertainty that permeated Jewish households across America. This historical fiction masterpiece delves into the psychological and emotional impact of living under a regime that openly discriminates against a specific group. Roth's powerful narrative forces readers to confront the fragility of democracy and the dangers of unchecked nationalism. The novel is not just a story of political upheaval but also a deeply personal account of family and resilience in the face of adversity.

Reviews
Bookmarks Reviews · 2025-09-18
compelling 3.80

The novel is not a major work but offers heart-wrenching pathos saved from sentimentality by sharp humor. It provides a unique perspective on historical events.

Bookmarks Reviews notes that 'The Plot Against America' may not be a major work, but it offers a unique and heart-wrenching perspective on historical events. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to convey deep emotion without falling into sentimentality, thanks to its sharp humor. They find the story to be a compelling exploration of how individuals navigate political upheaval and personal struggles. The reviewer believes that Roth's narrative provides a valuable lens through which to view the complexities of history and human nature.

Quick quotes

    The plot against America is not a major work.

    What it offers in place of tragedy is pathos of a heart-wrenching kind saved from sentimentality by a sharp humor.

    It provides a unique perspective on historical events.

The New Yorker · 2017-02-01
thought-provoking 4.20

The novel's psychological weight is carried by a delicate balance of circumstances that depend on whims of chance. It offers a terrifying yet thought-provoking exploration of political and social dynamics.

The New Yorker's review of 'The Plot Against America' focuses on the novel's psychological weight, which rests on a terrifyingly delicate balance of circumstances. The reviewer notes that the story's power comes from its exploration of how small changes can lead to devastating consequences. They find the novel to be a thought-provoking examination of political and social dynamics, highlighting the fragility of democracy. The reviewer appreciates Roth's ability to create a narrative that is both terrifying and deeply human, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    The novel's mighty psychological weight rests upon a terrifyingly delicate balance of circumstances that depend on whims of chance.

    It offers a terrifying yet thought-provoking exploration of political and social dynamics.

    Roth's ability to create a narrative that is both terrifying and deeply human.

The Guardian · Blake Morrison · 2004-10-01
brilliant 4.50

Roth's reimagining of America's past is a stroke of genius. The novel's power lies in its chilling plausibility and deep emotional resonance.

Blake Morrison from The Guardian praises Philip Roth's 'The Plot Against America' as a stroke of genius. They highlight Roth's ability to reimagine America's past in a way that feels both chillingly plausible and deeply emotional. Morrison appreciates the novel's exploration of historical what-ifs and its profound impact on the reader. The reviewer finds the book to be a powerful commentary on the fragility of democracy and the dangers of complacency. They believe Roth's narrative invention is unparalleled, making the novel a must-read for its insightful and unsettling portrayal of an alternative America.

Quick quotes

    Philip Roth's altered image of America's past in The Plot Against America is a stroke of genius.

    The novel's power lies in its chilling plausibility and deep emotional resonance.

    Roth's narrative invention is unparalleled.

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